Fogel v. Trustees of Iowa College
Iowa Supreme Court
446 N.W.2d 451 (1989)
- Written by Jennifer Flinn, JD
Facts
Warren Fogel (plaintiff) was an employee in the food-services department at Grinnell College (defendant). Fogel was not provided with an employment contract but was provided with an employee handbook, which stated that employees could be terminated for reasons unrelated to job performance with appropriate notice. Fogel had several disciplinary issues throughout his employment. Fogel was reprimanded several times for lack of personal hygiene and once suspended for urinating in a mop bucket at work. In December 1984, Fogel learned that he had lice in his hair, beard, and eyebrows. While knowingly having active lice in his hair, Fogel continued to report to work and even attended the employees’ holiday party. In January 1985, Fogel was terminated for coming to work with lice in his hair. Fogel filed a lawsuit against the college, alleging age and disability discrimination, breach of contract, breach of an implied covenant of good faith, and wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. The trial court granted summary judgment to the college for all claims except Fogel’s age-discrimination claim, for which a jury returned a verdict in favor of the college. Fogel appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Neuman, J.)
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