Small v. Springs Industries, Inc.

Harwell, Justice;

*483Respondent Small sued appellant Springs Industries, Inc. (Springs) for breach, of contract. After Small had been employed at Springs for five years, the company issued an employee handbook and distributed it to all of its employees. Springs later issued a bulletin to all employees setting forth in full the handbook’s termination procedure. This handbook and bulletin provided for a four-step disciplinary process which consisted of a verbal reprimand, a written warning, a final written warning, and discharge. Small was discharged after only one written warning. The trial judge…