Human Resource Selection 9th Edition by Marianne Jennings

Exercise 23

Clarence J. Ellis was employed by Glover Gardner as a laborer and carpenter from August 1979 until June 18, 1980. On June 18, 1980, Charles Gardner, the president and owner of Glover Gardner, received a notice of garnishment of Mr. Ellis's wages and fired Mr. Ellis that day. It was Mr. Ellis's first garnishment. Mr. Gardner said he fired Mr. Ellis because of alcoholism, poor job performance, insubordination, and dishonesty. However, Mr. Ellis's separation notice, which was sent to the Tennessee Department of Employment Security, gave as the reason for termination the garnishment. Did Mr. Gardner violate the law? [ Ellis v Glover Gardner Construction Co., 562 F. Supp. 1054 (M.D. Tenn. 1983)]