VFCU argued that Adams was an employee “at will” and that she could be terminated at any time for any or no reason at all. Adams argued that even if she was an employee at will, she was entitled to compensation for more than 600 hours of “compensatory time” that accumulated prior to her discharge.

The credit union had a policy to pay the management for “compensatory time” (similar to overtime), but the Board of Directors retroactively eliminated that benefit while Adams was having her operations.

The jury found that Adams did not have a contract for continued employment, but should receive damages for her accumulated “compensatory time.”

On appeal, the jury award against the credit union was affirmed.

Sue Adams v. Valley Federal Credit Union, Texas Court of Appeals, No. 13-91-350-CV.

Author: Charles R. Harroun, Attorney at Law