Compton v. Shopko Stores, Inc.

The majority concedes that this case turns on the resolution of a question of fact, namely when did the employment terminate, on December 27, 1974, when the employee’s services ended or on February 22, 1975, the last day for which severance pay was paid. Resolution of this factual issue depends on determining the effect of the employer’s awarding the employee severance pay. There was no contract policy or guideline concerning severance pay.1 Thus whether severance pay extended the period of employment depended on the intent of the employer in awarding severance pay.2

The majority opinion…