{ "id": 8525764, "name": "RUSSELL WALTER v. VANCE COUNTY, by and through its agents JERRY L. AYSCUE in his individual and official capacity as County Manger of Vance County, WILLIAM H. HUGHES, DANNY W. WRIGHT, WILLIAM L. FLEMING, JR., J. TIMOTHY PEGRAM, and RAY AYSCUE in their individual and official capacity as members of the Vance County Board of Commissioners", "name_abbreviation": "Walter v. Vance County ex rel. Ayscue", "decision_date": "1988-07-05", "docket_number": "No. 889SC65", "first_page": "636", "last_page": "641", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "90 N.C. App. 636" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "175 S.E. 2d 665", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1970, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "277 N.C. 29", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8561719 ], "year": 1970, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/277/0029-01" ] }, { "cite": "55 S.E. 613", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1906, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "615" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "143 N.C. 189", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656664 ], "year": 1906, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "195" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/143/0189-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 S.E. 2d 380", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1951, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "234 N.C. 425", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8622744 ], "year": 1951, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/234/0425-01" ] }, { "cite": "182 S.E. 2d 403", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "406-07" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "279 N.C. 254", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8566604 ], "year": 1971, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/279/0254-01" ] }, { "cite": "210 S.E. 2d 289", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1974, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "24 N.C. App. 204", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8549724 ], "year": 1974, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/24/0204-01" ] }, { "cite": "341 S.E. 2d 39", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "315 N.C. 597", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4714275, 4718790, 4717073, 4719672, 4715545 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/315/0597-02", "/nc/315/0597-01", "/nc/315/0597-03", "/nc/315/0597-04", "/nc/315/0597-05" ] }, { "cite": "335 S.E. 2d 79", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "77 N.C. App. 253", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521759 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/77/0253-01" ] }, { "cite": "366 S.E. 2d 2", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "88 N.C. App. 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 622, "char_count": 10911, "ocr_confidence": 0.816, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.0066528449474467e-07, "percentile": 0.7437157533122587 }, "sha256": "b2a5f17e7fb4743831582fc3cfc79a5daed08adbed2df7f456ca5c97d6e51ef0", "simhash": "1:810f850826ad7e56", "word_count": 1710 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:55:12.261630+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges EAGLES and ORR concur." ], "parties": [ "RUSSELL WALTER v. VANCE COUNTY, by and through its agents JERRY L. AYSCUE in his individual and official capacity as County Manger of Vance County, WILLIAM H. HUGHES, DANNY W. WRIGHT, WILLIAM L. FLEMING, JR., J. TIMOTHY PEGRAM, and RAY AYSCUE in their individual and official capacity as members of the Vance County Board of Commissioners" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "SMITH, Judge.\nPlaintiffs sole assignment of error is directed at the trial court\u2019s order granting defendants\u2019 motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff contends the trial court erred in granting defendants\u2019 motion in that (1) the contract of employment was for a definite period of time (from year to year) and could not be unilaterally terminated before the end of the term; (2) plaintiffs job description did not include painting as one of plaintiffs duties, and therefore plaintiff could not be fired for refusing to paint unless his job description was formally changed; and (3) termination of plaintiffs employment without providing a grievance procedure violated public policy. Plaintiffs brief does not discuss or cite any authority with regard to the granting of summary judgment on an additional alleged claim for relief for defendants\u2019 negligence and wilful and wanton conduct in failing to establish a grievance procedure. Therefore, any contention that the court erred with regard to this claim is deemed abandoned. App. R. 28(a).\nDefendants would be entitled to summary judgment \u201cif the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits . . . show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that [defendants are] entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.\u201d G.S. 1A-1, Rule 56(c). If the pleadings and proof establish that no claim for relief exists, summary judgment is proper. Coleman v. Cooper, 88 N.C. App. 188, 366 S.E. 2d 2 (1988). In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court must consider any evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant, Walker v. Westinghouse Electric Corp., 77 N.C. App. 253, 335 S.E. 2d 79 (1985), disc. rev. denied, 315 N.C. 597, 341 S.E. 2d 39 (1986), while also giving to the non-movant all favorable inferences which may reasonably be drawn from the facts proffered. Whitley v. Cubberly, 24 N.C. App. 204, 210 S.E. 2d 289 (1974).\nIn the case sub judice plaintiffs affidavit is to the effect that he was told at the time of his hiring he would be a probationary employee for a period of six months and thereafter would be employed on a year-to-year basis. Defendants\u2019 affidavits indicate that plaintiff was never told his employment would be from year to year. Assuming arguendo that plaintiffs affidavit sets forth the correct facts and that he was employed on an annual basis, plaintiff could still be discharged during the term of his employment for just cause. Still v. Lance, 279 N.C. 254, 182 S.E. 2d 403 (1971). When an employee is hired for a \u201cfixed term, the contract cannot be terminated at an earlier period except for cause or by mutual consent.\u201d Id. at 259, 182 S.E. 2d at 406-07.\nThe job description applicable to plaintiffs position provides:\nBuildings and Grounds Maintenance Man\nDescription of Work\nThis is responsible cleaning and minor maintenance work.\nAn employee in this class is responsible for the cleaning and minor repair of the Vance County Courthouse building. Duties include the heavy cleaning of offices, rest rooms, and hallways, and the minor repair of the heating, plumbing, and air conditioning systems. Work is performed under the direction of the Tax Supervisor-Collector; however, the employee is expected to use independent judgment in scheduling recurring duties.\nExamples of Duties Performed\nScrubs, mops, waxes, and polishes floors in offices, hallways and closets.\nWashes windows, woodwork, walls and ceilings.\nScrubs and cleans bathroom fixtures, replenishes tissue, towels, and soap; replaces light bulbs, empties waste baskets and other containers.\nMowes [sic] grass, trims shrubbery, sweeps sidewalks, rakes leaves and trash around buildings and generally maintains the exterior appearance of the Courthouse building.\nMoves office equipment and supplies as directed.\nChecks boiler and heating plant for proper operation and makes minor adjustments when necessary.\nMakes minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry repairs.\nPerforms related work as required.\nRecruitment Standards\nKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities:\nGeneral knowledge of the various phases of janitorial work.\nGeneral knowledge of the janitorial supplies used in floor finishings, window washing and house cleaning.\nGeneral knowledge of the Courthouse plumbing, heating and electrical systems.\nAbility to make minor repairs and determine when to ask for assistance.\nAbility to follow oral and written instructions.\nWhen a person is employed for general work of a particular kind, he must be ready to perform any kind of work reasonably incidental to that work though he is not obligated to accept employment of an entirely different kind. 56 C.J.S. Master and Servant, Section 63, p. 478. Plaintiffs job description specifically required that plaintiff perform \u201crelated work as required.\u201d We hold that the painting contemplated in this case was reasonably incidental to the general work for which plaintiff had been employed. We also hold that it was \u201crelated work\u201d as that term is used in plaintiffs job description. Defendant county\u2019s personnel resolution specifically states: \u201cIf a permanent employee . . . willfully fails to perform assigned duties, he may be dismissed by his department head.\u201d When plaintiff accepted employment, the law implied a promise by plaintiff to render efficient service in good faith to his employer. Hagan v. Jenkins, 234 N.C. 425, 67 S.E. 2d 380 (1951). \u201cThere is said to be always on the part of the servant an implied obligation to enter the master\u2019s service and serve him diligently and faithfully, and to conduct himself properly, and generally to perform all the duties incident to his employment honestly and with ordinary care.\u201d Ivey v. Cotton Mills, 143 N.C. 189, 195, 55 S.E. 613, 615 (1906). Plaintiffs refusal to perform the requested chore was unwarranted and plaintiffs discharge was for just cause.\nPlaintiff also argues that his job description was a part of his employment contract and that since painting was not specifically listed therein, he could not be discharged for refusing to perform the painting assignment without a change in his job description. Having held the painting assignment was \u201crelated work\u201d within plaintiffs job description, it is unnecessary for us to discuss this contention.\nLastly, plaintiff argues that his termination was improper in that Vance County violated public policy by failing to adopt a grievance procedure for employees. Plaintiff contends that G.S., Chap. 126 establishes a public policy that all local government employees have the protection of a grievance procedure. We disagree. With certain exceptions not here applicable, Chapter 126 applies to county employees only as the \u201cboards of county commissioners may from time to time determine.\u201d G.S. 126-5(a). Vance County has not made G.S., Chap. 126 applicable to its employees. It might very well be advisable for all employees of local government to be protected by a grievance procedure and have the resulting job security. However, it is the function of the General Assembly to establish the public policy of this State. Martin v. Housing Corp., 277 N.C. 29, 175 S.E. 2d 665 (1970). If the Legislature desired to establish a public policy entitling county employees to the protection of G.S., Chap. 126, it could have done so. In that event, the Legislature would not have given the individual boards of county commissioners the absolute discretion to decide whether Chapter 126 would be applicable to county employees. The ruling of the trial court is\nAffirmed.\nJudges EAGLES and ORR concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "SMITH, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Willie S. Darby for plaintiff-appellant.", "Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, by Guy F. Driver, Jr., M. Ann Anderson, and William McBlief, for defendant-appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "RUSSELL WALTER v. VANCE COUNTY, by and through its agents JERRY L. AYSCUE in his individual and official capacity as County Manger of Vance County, WILLIAM H. HUGHES, DANNY W. WRIGHT, WILLIAM L. FLEMING, JR., J. TIMOTHY PEGRAM, and RAY AYSCUE in their individual and official capacity as members of the Vance County Board of Commissioners\nNo. 889SC65\n(Filed 5 July 1988)\n1. Master and Servant \u00a7 10.2\u2014 maintenance employee \u2014 refusal to paint restroom \u2014discharge for just cause\nPainting of a courthouse restroom was reasonably incidental to the general work for which plaintiff had been employed where plaintiff was hired as a \u201cbuildings and grounds maintenance man,\u201d and his job description specifically required that plaintiff perform \u201crelated work as required\u201d; therefore, plaintiffs refusal to perform the requested chore was unwarranted and plaintiffs discharge was for just cause.\n2. Municipal Corporations \u00a7 11.1\u2014 grievance procedure for all local government employees not required\nThere was no merit to plaintiffs contention that N.C.G.S. Chap. 126 established a public policy that all local government employees have the protection of a grievance procedure, since Chapter 126 applied to county employees only as the \u201cboards of county commissioners may from time to time determine,\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 126-5(a), and Vance County has not made Chap. 126 applicable to its employees.\nAPPEAL by plaintiff from Clark (Giles RJ, Judge. Judgment entered 27 August 1987 in Superior Court, VANCE County. Heard in the Court of Appeals 1 June 1988.\nPlaintiff instituted this action alleging that on 25 March 1977 Vance County hired him as a housekeeper/janitor for a six-month probationary period and thereafter as a permanent employee on a year-to-year basis. Plaintiffs primary responsibility was providing cleaning and minor maintenance services for the Vance County Courthouse. Plaintiff further alleges that during April and May of 1986 defendant Jerry L. Ayscue, the county manager and finance officer for Vance County, discussed with plaintiff the painting of a courthouse restroom. Plaintiff stated that he would not paint because painting was not a part of his job description but that he would do so if his job description was changed. The county manager informed plaintiff that he considered small paint jobs to be minor repair and maintenance and thus included within plaintiffs job description. On 21 May 1986, when plaintiff refused to carry out the painting as instructed, his employment was terminated. Plaintiff seeks to recover for breach of an express or implied employment contract. Plaintiff also seeks to allege claims for violation of public policy and for defendants\u2019 negligence and wilful and wanton conduct in failing to establish a grievance procedure. Plaintiff seeks to recover actual and punitive damages for his alleged unjust dismissal.\nIn their answer defendants denied the material allegations of plaintiffs complaint. Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. Both plaintiff and defendants submitted affidavits and other documentation relating to the motion. From an order granting defendants\u2019 motion for summary judgment, plaintiff appeals.\nWillie S. Darby for plaintiff-appellant.\nWomble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, by Guy F. Driver, Jr., M. Ann Anderson, and William McBlief, for defendant-appellees." }, "file_name": "0636-01", "first_page_order": 666, "last_page_order": 671 }