Matagorda County Hospital District v. Burwell

The dispositive issue in this case is whether a statement in a personnel policy manual that “[ejmployees may be dismissed for cause” constitutes an agreement that dismissal may be only for cause, thereby modifying the at-will employment relationship. We hold it does not and therefore reverse the judgment of the court of appeals 1 and render judgment for petitioner.

Respondent Christine Burwell had been employed by petitioner Matagorda County Hospital District for nearly ten years as a collections supervisor when she was placed on probation and later terminated. The District cited her poor…