Legal Question in Employment Law in Missouri

Employee Hand Book

I work for a healthcare system that is closing down one of its facilities.Actually sold it to a company that is just going to shut it down. In our handbook it outlines certain procedures of the layoff process. Going by length of service, dependability, able to perform more than one job,& past evaluations. I have a good report on all of these. They are treating this as, no your are not part of the system, this building is reffered to ''unit # two'' We all have the same handbook, nametags, etc. Am I out of luck in trying to fight this ? They are offering me a severance package, I told them I would rather have a job. My last day will be 12-31-02.


Asked on 10/24/02, 11:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Reiter

Re: Employee Hand Book

The employer's obligations to you in this situation could be governed by several things. First, if you have an employment contract - it would govern. If not, an employee manual or handbook might govern. However, when the company was sold, the new owner may not have purchased the business subject to the terms and conditions of the prior employment contracts. Again, the employment contract will likely have a clause addressing this situation. If you don't have an employment contract, you are likely an employee at will and thus have little to no recourse against the employer for eliminating your job based on the facts provided. Since they are telling you about the layoffs more than 2 months prior to terminating your employment, your best bet is probably to start looking for another job.

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Answered on 10/24/02, 11:30 am


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