Groce v. Foster

OPALA, Justice.

This certiorari proceeding tenders an issue of first impression — whether, under the limited public-policy exception to the termination-at-will doctrine, first announced in Burk v. K-Mart Corporation,1 a wrongful discharge action will lie against an employer who fires an employee for the latter’s refusal to dismiss his common-law negligence action against a third party, who was a customer of the employer, for redress of on-the-job injuries. We answer in the affirmative.

I

THE ANATOMY OF LITIGATION

Recovery is sought for tortious discharge from employment in violation of this…