Source: https://hyderally.wordpress.com/tag/employment-handbooks/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 14:25:22+00:00

Document:
Woolley v. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., 99 N.J. at 297-98.
In so holding, the Woolley court did not make an exception to the doctrine of employment at will in situations where there is an employee handbook, but instead recognized “basic contract principles concerning acceptance of unilateral contracts.” McQuitty v. General Dynamics Corp., 204 N.J. Super. 514, 520 (App.Div. 1985).
The meaning and effect of handbook’s provisions and the circumstances under which handbooks were prepared and distributed are crucial factors to consider in determining whether or not their provisions will be enforced. Woolley v. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., 99 N.J. at 302-04.
The extent to which the handbook is distributed is an especially important factor in determining whether it should be considered binding. General distribution of the handbook, “forms a basis for the legal presumptions that (1) the employer intended to be bound and (2) employees were generally aware of and could have reasonably relied upon the manual’s terms.” Alito, N.J. Employment Law (2d ed.), §1:6-1, at 16 (1999).
“The Woolley court found that a presumption of reliance arises and the manual’s provisions become binding at the moment the manual is distributed to the general work force.” Labus v. Navistar Int’l Trans. Corp., 740 F.Supp. 1053, 1062 (D.N.J. 1990).
Conversely, if an employee handbook has not been generally distributed, it cannot form the basis of a Woolley claim, because employees cannot show that they actually relied on their provisions. Alito, N.J. Employment Law (2d ed.), §1:6-1, at 16 (1999).
The court in Woolley found that the language regarding job security was “explicit and clear,” and that comprehensive provisions regarding termination and discipline were set out.” Woolley v. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc.¸99 N.J. 284, 306, modified, 101 N.J. 10 (1985).
The policy of Prentice-Hall is that all management personnel be supportive of employee efforts both to improve in their present jobs, and to be promoted to jobs of greater responsibility.
Available jobs will be posted on bulletin boards in accordance with Prentice-Hall’s policy. Employees who apply will be considered on the basis of their skills and abilities.
Where prior experience in any department has given an employee knowledge and familiarity with the character and procedures which are required in the performance of the higher level job, the department head may give preference to such applicant.
Levinson v. Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1988 WL 76383, p.1 (D.N.J. 1988), aff’d in part and rev’d in part, in other grounds, 868 F.2d 588 (3d Cir. 1989).

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