Pursell v. Wolverine-Pentronix, Inc

The plaintiff brought suit for damages for the breach of an alleged oral contract of employment caused by a premature termination of the employment and for alleged defamation connected with the termination.

The facts appearing in the plaintiffs complaint are largely uncontested. In 1966, the plaintiff was 59 years old and employed by Dow Chemical as general manager of its plant in Jackson, Michigan. This plant was acquired by the defendant from Dow Chemical on September 1, 1966. The defendant offered to keep the plaintiff on as general manager, orally promising to employ him as vice- president…