Case Summary:
Harry Singh files suit against the Cities Service Oil Co. seeking damages for an employment contract. The company extended a written offer to pay Singh $24,000 "per year" for research work. Singh accepted the job, but the company withdrew the employment offer a short time later. Singh filed suit, arguing the company violated a valid contract offer. The company argued that no specific terms concerning the duration of employment were stated in its offer. Therefore, Singh was considered an at-will employee. The company filed a motion for summary judgment.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
This is the first judicial review of this case.
Outcome:
Singh loses. The Supreme Court of Oklahoma granted the company's motion for summary judgment. The court ruled that a contract that states the amount of compensation that is to be paid per year but does not mention the duration of employment is not a contract for one year. Such a contract could be terminated at will by either party.