Opinion ID: 2215884
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Letter of Recommendation

Text: Walpus offered into evidence a letter of recommendation authored by Work, wherein Work stated that the METCO staff held Walpus in the very highest esteem for his diligence and work ethics. Work wrote that Walpus was exceptionally knowledgeable in his field and that Work would not hesitate to recommend Walpus for any position. Walpus contends that the letter of recommendation was relevant because it damaged Work's credibility as a witness and evidenced an employment contract between Walpus and METCO. In an action for breach of an employment contract, the burden of proving the existence of a contract and all the facts essential to the cause of action is upon the person who asserts the contract. Hamersky v. Nicholson Supply Co., 246 Neb. 156, 517 N.W.2d 382 (1994); Hillie v. Mutual of Omaha Ins. Co., 245 Neb. 219, 512 N.W.2d 358 (1994). The language which forms the basis of the employment contract, whether oral or written, must constitute an offer definite in form which is communicated to the employee, and the offer must be accepted and consideration furnished for its enforceability. Hillie v. Mutual of Omaha Ins. Co., supra . We affirm the district court's decision to exclude the letter of recommendation. The only issue at the summary judgment hearing was whether any oral or written statements modified Walpus' at-will employment status. The letter of recommendation, written after METCO terminated Walpus, could not have affected Walpus' at-will status. Likewise, the letter of recommendation did not reflect Work's opinion of whether METCO needed cause to terminate Walpus. The letter of recommendation was relevant, if at all, only to show that Work did not think that METCO had good cause to terminate Walpus. If the case at bar were to go to trial, METCO's reasons for terminating Walpus might become relevant. However, in the summary judgment motion in the instant case, the only issue presented was whether METCO contractually modified Walpus' at-will status. Evidence related to whether METCO had cause to terminate Walpus, like the letter of recommendation, has no bearing on Walpus' at-will status.