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Nees v. Hocks

Oregon Supreme Court (1975) | 536 P.2d 512; 272 Or. 210; 1975 Ore. LEXIS 419; 115 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 4571

3 min read

TL;DR: An employer fired an at-will employee for serving on a jury. The court recognized a new tort, holding that a discharge violating a clear public policy is actionable, but denied punitive damages because the tort was newly established.

Legal Significance: Established the tort of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy in Oregon, creating a significant common-law exception to the employment-at-will doctrine based on important societal interests.