Employment Law
Syllabus
Professor Jolls
Fall 2005
Casebook: WorkLaw: Cases and Materials, by Marion G. Crain, Pauline T. Kim, and Michael
Selmi (2005). Additional readings may be found in the Supplementary Materials.
PART ONE. INTRODUCTION: REGULATING WORK
CHAPTER 1. ORIGINS
Introductory Note
A. The Meaning of Work
Kenneth L. Karst, The Coming Crisis of Work in Constitutional Perspective
Notes
B. The Historical Roots of Employment At-Will
Introductory Note
Payne v. The Western & Atlantic Railroad Co.
Notes
CHAPTER 2. THE CONTEMPORARY ERA – SHIFTS IN THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND
STRUCTURE OF WORK
…
C. The Reconstitution of Work – Contingent Employment
Clyde W. Summers, Contingent Employment in the United States
Stephen F. Befort, Labor and Employment Law at the Millennium: A Historical
Review and Critical Assessment
Notes
PART TWO. BALANCING EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE INTERESTS:
INDIVIDUAL VERSUS COLLECTIVE RESPONSES
Introductory Note
CHAPTER 3. CONTRACTING FOR INDIVIDUAL JOB SECURITY
Introductory Note
A. The Presumption of Employment At-Will
Jay M. Feinman, The Development of the Employment at Will Rule
Notes
1
B. Express Agreements
1.
Written Contracts
Introductory Note
Guiliano v. Cleo, Inc.
Notes
2.
Oral Contracts
Toussaint v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mich.
Rowe v. Montgomery Ward & Co.
Notes
C.
Implied Agreements
Introductory Note
1.
Employee Handbooks
Woolley v. Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.
2.
Promissory Estooppel
Goff-Hamel v. Obstetricians & Gynecologists, P.C.
Notes
3.
Implied-in-Fact Contracts
Introductory Note
Pugh v. See’s Candies, Inc.
Notes
D. Good Faith and Fair Dealing
Introductory Note
Fortune v. National Cash Register Co.
Murphy v. American Home Products Corp.
Notes
CHAPTER 4. PUBLIC POLICY PROTECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL JOB SECURITY
Introductory Note
A. The Public Policy Exception