Mello v. Stop & Shop Companies, Inc.

We consider first on direct appellate review whether the evidence warranted a finding that the defendant, Stop & Shop, discharged the plaintiff Mello, an employee at will, in violation of a principle of public policy for which the law should impose liability for wrongful discharge. We conclude that the evidence did not warrant a finding that Mello was discharged in violation of such a public policy principle. Consequently, the trial judge, who has reported the propriety of his ruling for appellate consideration, erroneously denied Stop & Shop’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict…