Promissory Estoppel May Prevent Christian Camp From Firing Employee For Living With Her Boyfriend

Trehar v. Brightway Center, Inc.,, (OH App., Oct. 2, 2015), is a suit by a former employee of a Christian youth sports camp who was fired for moving in with with her boyfriend.  Plaintiff Jennifer Trehar whose job involved writing grant proposals and engaging in various sorts of promotional work was told in a letter from the camp's board: "We simply cannot reconcile our affections and appreciation for you with our belief that living together outside marriage is forbidden by the Scriptures."  In a unanimous decision the appeals court reversed the trial  court's grant of summary judgment to the camp, finding that Trehar sould be able to move ahead with her claim of promissory estoppel:

Griffin is Brightway’s president and CEO. He stated that his employees should rely on his statements and promises. In construing the evidence in Trehar’s favor, reasonable people could conclude that Trehar’s boss and the president of the company induced Trehar to believe that no adverse employment action would result from her move.

Columbus Dispatch reports on the decision.