Ridenhour v. International Business MacHines Corp.

HUNTER, Judge.

Plaintiff was employed as a machinist with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) at its facility in Charlotte, North Carolina from December 1989 until December 4, 1991. In March 1990, plaintiff learned that IBM was renegotiating their contract with Atlantic Design Company (ADC), a company where plaintiff had previously worked. Plaintiff informed his manager that he had sensitive information that would be helpful to IBM in their negotiations. He asked for anonymity and was given assurances that his identity would be kept confidential. Plaintiff disclosed that ADC had…