Opinion ID: 888119
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Whether Costco violated the terms of its own personnel policy

Text: ¶ 32 Next, in respect to § 39-2-904(1)(c), MCA, Johnson contends he presented ample evidence that Costco had violated the express provisions of its own personnel policies. Specifically, Johnson points to Costco's policy that a ten-year employee, like Johnson, must have his termination determined by a Costco executive vice-president. Johnson argues that he elicited evidence at trial that Jelinek, the executive vice-president did not actually determine whether Johnson should have been discharged and thus Costco may have violated its own personnel policies. ¶ 33 Costco responds that evidence was presented at trial that proves Jelinek, the executive vice-president, did in fact make the decision to discharge Johnson and Costco thus followed its own termination policy. Upon our review of the record, the only evidence elicited at trial suggests that Jelinek was traveling with John McKay, a senior vice-president during the time period at issue. McKay reported to Petersen that he and Jelinek discussed the matter and that, ultimately, Jelinek chose to terminate Johnson. There is nothing in the record, beyond speculation by Johnson, that Jelinek did not make the decision at issue here. [4] The District Court did not err in granting judgment as a matter of law in favor of Costco in respect to Johnson's second argument under the WDEA, § 39-2-904(1)(c), MCA. ¶ 34 In respect to Johnson's claim that Costco violated the express provisions of its own personnel policy, there is a complete absence of any evidence which would justify submitting the issue to a jury. Thus, we conclude, as a matter of law, that no issue of fact exists as to whether Costco violated the express provisions of its own personnel policy.