Lewis v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States

OPINION

CRIPPEN, Judge.

Respondents, four former employees of appellant, brought suit against appellant for breach of an employment contract and defamation. The trial court jury found that an employee handbook was sufficient to create an employment contract, and that appellants violated this contract and defamed respondents by stating grounds of “gross insubordination” when terminating their employment. The jury assessed compensatory and punitive damages. The employer contends the verdict was not supported by sufficient evidence and was based on erroneous trial court instructions. We remand to…