Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia

Breach of Contract, fired from Job

I was working for a car dealership, I was asked to train a family member of the owner. I was promised and repeatedly told that he would never replace me or take any position to compete against me. (I have witnesses to verify this, no signed contract) After 18 months, the person I was training took my position in the company and I was layed off. I was told that the company was cutting cost's and they are replacing me with my trainee. I was told this won't happen even in the last week before letting me go. Do I have any case here. After I was let go business went down to 1/2 the next month.


Asked on 10/21/08, 2:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Breach of Contract, fired from Job

If you mean do you have a viable claim for wrongful termination(or related cause of action) against your former employer based upon the facts which you've described? In the absence of an enforceable contract, I would say, no, you do not; Virginia is, after all, a so-called employment at will jurisdiction where employees basically serve in their respective jobs at the sufferance of their employers, and in the absence of the protection afforded by a contract can be fired at any time with impunity for almost any reason which doesn't violate one or more of the protected categories enumerated under federal anti-discrimination law.

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Answered on 10/21/08, 3:04 pm


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