ÿWPCµ% oqÊëy$”þü¿ËÁ.ˆtjEÒ#U Œ6x±^}®ßþ`mf$NР„ÌÑ+kWÏšñ*)î—bˆß[ÖôAÐ%ޓ֦ªê?.FÄ™NRÒ›¬®†`t”;Nc胴ArƆ•ý†]ÅbÒ÷6˜Cü?RÁ Ÿ„VtÒM3wR)¶ŸŠUžíŠûÞI…lí_Óû£®£y¾`É7pµøNù{êI8+¡–«F1¬Â’9 lEw³;(·é­t'~ eN¡Ôà=¿2ßÔ³F¶t'éuã{Ú N’é‡Xgìj&IЮ£Øs)dæÂ‰ÄoîÝù@*(rœÌ`ÿ«#™u5É•"87—²f±¦ ¥¥Y]ñ@?KAñØ–PrÔýÝÎíO ¥VÈò;똡øÝ Ü½Í8CêW7h!Ov…ä!ÌÍ÷Jhd¢ˆñ#epz¿¼q©9Ô‡z0 y=Î âucS´ú%_gçËošÇ€4XîÑ4sŒY8aCrÖ-Bhô™)òt´Ý˹9q\DÙ¸Ÿwj¦óA"é…Â:¸jTû‹Ÿ<¯±ÊhòÔIÕìMÑ[ŘÅtyœ-¿ÖÊïÒ ²ŒIúÍé † .KL:`#!@UNa %¯ 0(µU:Ý 0§ U:¾ wø 4ü  L 0Dk ¥¯ -T  ¡‰ Á*Në!í!6ï!U:%#^ _# mk#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k#k# B‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚#‚# AQŸ#Æð# 0D¶$ 0Dú$ 0D>%>% D3‚%˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡, øð AZ"Arial Regular(f2:ö$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÓ  ÓÔ€X/óXXXÔÔ€ôä¼õXX/óÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.€€,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular{Z='½¬  Úóó3|xC:\OFFICE\WPWIN\TEMPLATE\STANDARD.WPT(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ›Ý ƒÑ$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€XëXXXÔÔ€ôÎòXXëÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝòòSeeóó€òòsupraóó€note€1. #Ñ#€iXÿÿd#Ñ —Ý ƒÑ$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€XëXXXÔÔ€ôÎòXXëÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝWe€note,€however,€that€Kingððs€brief€places€considerable€reliance€upon€one€particular€provision€within€theÐ e Ðemployee€manual,€which€states:Ð #¾ ÐÌà8  àFollowing€the€rules€set€forth€in€the€American€Trucking€Associationððs€safety€awards€program,Ð Ÿ: ÐTFE€will€make€the€initial€determinations€regarding€an€accidentððs€status.€€A€driver€may€appealÐ ]ø Ða€finding€of€ð ðpreventableðð€to€one€of€the€existing€driver€safety€committees.€€Either€TFE€or€theÐ ¶ Ðdriver€may€appeal€a€driver€committee€decision€to€ATAððs€panel€of€safety€experts€whoseÐ Ùt Ðdecision€shall€be€final€and€binding.З 2Ð Ð  ÐÌWe€need€not€resolve€whether€this€provision€reflects€an€intent€to€be€bound,€however,€because€this€particularÐ  ®  Ðprovision€does€not€pertain€to€TFEððs€ð ðdisciplinary€procedures,ðð€ð ðrules€and€regulations,ðð€and€ð ðinvoluntaryÐ Ñ l  Ðterminations.ðð€€Instead,€this€provision€pertains€to€and€is€a€sub„heading€of€TFEððs€ð ðSafety€Award€Program,ððÐ  *  Ðwhich,€as€revised,€is€set€forth€within€the€second€part€of€TFEððs€employee€manual,€titled€ð ðSchedule€Wages€&Ð M è  ÐFringes.ðð€€This€ð ðSafety€Award€Programðð€provides€employment€òòòòbenefitsóóóó€relating€to€a€driverððs€pay€scale,€whichÐ  ¦  Ðincreases€over€time€and/or€mileage€traveled€in€the€absence€of€the€driver€having€a€preventable€accident.€€ð ðAÐ Ëf  Ðpreventable€accident€will€not€cost€a€driver€increases€previously€earned€under€this€program.€€However,€a€driverÐ ‰$  Ðhaving€a€preventable€accident€will€serve€a€penalty€period€during€which€the€driver€cannot€progress€to€a€higherÐ Gâ  Ðlevel.ðð ·Ý ƒÑ$ÝÓ  ÓÔ€XëXXXÔÔ€ôÎòXXëÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.€€Ý  ÝThe€provisions€that€are€found€within€TFEððs€employee€manual€that€pertain€to€disciplinary€procedures,€asÐ e Ðrelated€to€the€instant€case,€are€as€follows:Ð #¾ ÐÌà@NNìàòòDISCIPLINARY€PROCEDURESóóˆÐ Ÿ: ÐÌà8  à[T]o€insure€[sic]€that€we€protect€and€preserve€the€excellent€reputation€we€have€established,Ð ¶ Ðmanagement€has€developed€a€òòguidelineóó€of€violations€of€professional€performance€standardsÐ Ùt Ðand€reasonable€disciplinary€penalties€that€may€be€imposed€upon€proven€violations€of€theseÐ ™ 4 Ðstandards.ÐW òÐ Ð  Ðà@KK'ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ  °  Ðà8  àThe€following€Rules€and€Regulations€apply€to€all€employees€who€have€completed€their€90„dayÐ Ó n  Ðfamiliarization€period.Б , Ð Ð  ÐÌòòà8  àThe€Company€retains€the€right€to€modify,€add€to€or€eliminate€work€rules€at€any€time€as€itÐ  ¨  Ðdeems€necessaryóó.ÐÍh Ð Ð  ÐÌà@§§ ìàòòRULES€AND€REGULATIONSóóˆÐ Kæ  ÐÌà8  àThe€following€rules€and€regulations€and€the€penalties€to€be€charged€for€violations€of€the€sameòòÐ Çb  Ðare€set€forth€as€guidelinesóó€so€that€all€employees€may€know€what€is€expected€of€them€in€theÐ …  Ðgeneral€conduct€of€the€Companyððs€business.€€òòThis€list€of€violations€is€not€inclusive€and€theÐ Eà Ðcompany€may€add€to€or€modify€it€at€any€timeóó.РРР ÐÌà8  àProtests€of€discipline€must€be€filed€within€ten€(10)€days€after€notice€is€received€by€employees.ЃРР ÐÌà8  à1.à ` àòòACCIDENTS:ÐÿšÐ Ð  ÐóóÌà8  àA.à ` àMajor€Chargeable€as€defined€by€DOTà  à1st€offense„Subject€to€dischargeÐ{Ð Ð  Ðà@KK'ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ 9Ô Ðà8  à8.à ` àòòFAMILIARIZATION€PERIOD€EMPLOYEES:óóÐ÷’Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð àDuring€the€first€ninety€(90)€days€of€employment€new€employees€may€be€dischargedÐ s Ðat€managementððs€discretion€without€regard€to€the€above€procedures.Ð1Ì ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  à9.à ` àòòAPPEAL€OF€COMPANY€DISCIPLINARY€ACTION:óóЭH"Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà0` Ð Ð à[T]he€driver€committee€is€your€avenue€of€appeal€for€any€complaint€you€may€haveÐ )Ä$  Ðregarding€your€treatment.€€The€management€of€TFE,€Inc.,€will€give€everyÐ e Ðòòconsiderationóó€to€their€recommendations€and€findings.Ð#¾` Ð ` Ð  Ðà@KK'ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ ã~ Ðà8  àà0` Ð Ð àEmployees€objecting€to€the€disciplinary€action€taken€will€have€ten€(10)€days€to€file€aÐ ¡< Ðnotice€to€that€effect€in€writing€with€TFE,€Inc.€€In€the€absence€of€such€protest,€suchÐ _ú Ðaction€shall€be€deemed€final.и` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà@IIìàòòINVOLUNTARY€TERMINATIONóóˆÐ ™ 4 ÐÌà8  àIn€the€event€an€employee€is€involuntarily€terminated€from€employment€with€TFE,€Inc.,€and€theÐ  °  Ðemployee€exhausts€the€companyððs€internal€appeal€provisions,€at€the€employees€request€TFEÐ Ó n  Ðwill€òòconsideróó€submitting€the€matter€to€an€Arbitrator€for€a€final€and€binding€remedy.€€TheÐ ‘ ,  Ðrequest€for€arbitration€should€be€made€by€the€employee€.€.€.€within€ten€(10)€days€of€theÐ Q ì  Ðemployee€being€notified€of€termination.€€.€.€.€. ,Ý ƒ[¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€X/óXXXÔÔ€ÍXX/óÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X/óXÍÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€1,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAxÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regularæ!' ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ dZ[\]_Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó&&&&'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑe°ÑÔ€X/óXXXÔÓ  ÓÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑòòóóÑ8€GXXdìdÈ8ÑÑ€;ÑÔ_Ôà@m m ìàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ e Ðà@$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÌßx€Y_B2.jzE¾`  `€€@ÿE û` 8ttxPE=ð ¾ xßÌÌMICHAEL€KING,à ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)€€Ð ° Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àà ` àó óPlaintiff/Appellant,à h àà À àò ò)€€Maury€Circuit€No.€6503Ð í ˆ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ÌVS.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)€€Appeal€No.€01A01„9711„CV„00624Ð Å ` Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ÌTFE,€INC.,à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ð  8  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àà ` àó óDefendant/Appellee.à À àò ò)ó óÐ u  ÐÌÌà@  ìàAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CIRCUIT€COURT€OF€MAURY€COUNTYˆÌà@¬¬ìàAT€COLUMBIA,€TENNESSEEˆÌà@² ² ìàTHE€HONORABLE€JIM€T.€HAMILTON,€JUDGEˆÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òJOHN€W.€PALMERó óÐ )Ä Ðò òTHE€PALMER€LAW€FIRMó óÐ ° ÐDyersburg,€TennesseeÌAttorney€for€AppellantÌÌÌÌò òKIM€B.€KETTERINGó óÐ !  Ðò òHARDIN,€PARKES€&€KETTERING,€PLLCÐ k"! Ðó óColumbia,€TennesseeÐ W#ò" ÐAttorney€for€AppelleeÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òAFFIRMEDÐ m+'+ ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌó óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àò òALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€J.Ð Í2h.3 ÐÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.ÌÌHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.ó óà h àÐ -:È5; ÐÓÓà  àIn€this€action€filed€against€TFE,€Inc.€(hereafter€ð ðTFEðð),€Michael€King€appeals€the€trialÐ ;´6< ÐÑ;Ñâ âÑ#€iXÿÿd#Ñâ âÑ  Ñcourtððs€grant€of€summary€judgment€to€TFE€as€related€to€Kingððs€claims€for€breach€of€anÐ Eà Ðalleged€employment€contract.€€The€trial€court€granted€TFEððs€motion€for€summary€judgmentÐ %À Ðbased€on€the€courtððs€conclusion€that€an€employee€handbook€distributed€by€TFE€did€notÐ    Ðconstitute€an€employment€contract.€€For€the€reasons€hereafter€stated,€we€affirm€the€trialÐ å € Ðcourtððs€grant€of€summary€judgment.Ð Å `  ÐÌà@BBìàò òòòFacts€and€Procedural€Historyóóó óˆÐ …  ÐÌà  àKing€began€working€for€TFE€as€a€truck€driver€on€November€5,€1988,€at€which€pointÐ Eà ÐTFE€provided€to€King€a€copy€of€an€employee€manual,€which€was€titled€ð ðTFE€ProfessionalÐ %À ÐStaffing.ðð€€€During€Kingððs€employment€with€TFE,€this€employee€manual€was€occasionallyÐ   Ðupdated€either€by€replacement€pages€or€by€supplemental€additional€pages€that€were€sentÐ å€ Ðto€King.€€At€least€as€of€the€time€period€relevant€to€this€lawsuit,€this€manual€was€divided€intoÐ Å` Ðthree€separate€sections:€€(1)€Employee€Handbook;€(2)€Schedule€Wages€&€Fringes;€and€(3)Ð ¥@ ÐEmployee€Notices.€Ð …  ÐÌà  àOn€March€25,€1993,€King€was€involved€in€a€traffic€accident€while€driving€a€truck€(theÐ E$à" Ðtractor€only)€during€the€course€of€his€employment.€€Apparently,€this€accident€occurred€whenÐ %&À!$ Ða€city€garbage€truck€pulled€out€in€front€of€King,€at€which€time€King€attempted€to€avoid€theÐ ( #& Ðtruck€by€going€around€its€rear,€but€lost€control€and€ran€off€the€road.€€During€KingððsÐ å)€%( Ðdeposition,€he€described€the€events€surrounding€this€accident€as€follows:Ð Å+`'* ÐÓÓà8  àQà ` àWhat€was€the€weather€like?Ð¥-@),Ð Ð  Ðà8  àAà ` àIt€was€sprinkling€rain,€drizzle.Е.0*-Ð Ð  Ðà@(('ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ …/ +. Ðà8  àQà ` àOkay.€€You€didnððt€have€a€trailer€hooked€onto€the€tractor€part.Ðu0,/Ð Ð  Ðà  àAà ` àYes,€I€was€bob„tailing.Ð e1-0 Ðà8  àQà ` àJust€tell€me€what€happened,€or€what€„„€youððre€coming€down€theÐ U2ð-1 Ðroad,what€caused€the€wreck€to€happen?ÐE3à.2Ð Ð  Ðà  àAà ` àThe€City€garbage€truck€pulled€out€in€front€of€me.Ð 54Ð/3 Ðà@(('ìà.€.€.€.ˆÐ %5À04 Ðà8  àQà ` àAnd€when€this€vehicle€pulled€out€or€whatever,€what€did€you€do?Ð6°15Ð Ð  Ðà8  àAà ` àI€applied€my€brakes.€€He€proceed€to€back€off€the€road.€€I€proceed€to€Ð 7 26 Ðà ` àlet€off€the€brakes.€€He€stopped,€clearing€the€path€where€I€could€à @2 àÐ õ737 Ðaccelerate.€€When€I€accelerated€again,€thatððs€all€I€„„€I€done€my€à x àÐ å8€48 Ðknowledge€„„€to€avoid€the€wreck€any€way€possible,€and€I€swayed€to€go€inÐ Õ9p59 Ðbehind€him.€€As€soon€as€the€truck€hit€the€shoulder€of€the€road€where€à @Ä àI€couldÐ e Ðhopefully€get€part€of€the€garbage€truck€or€go€completely€around€à x àhim,€theÐ Uð Ðshoulder€gave€way.€€The€next€thing€I€know,€the€truck€was€upside€down.ÐEàÐ Ð  ÐÌÓÓAfter€this€traffic€accident,€King€was€taken€to€a€hospital.€€Thereafter,€during€the€course€ofÐ %À Ðmedical€treatment€and€recovery,€King€was€paid€temporary€workersðð€compensation€disabilityÐ    Ðbenefits€up€through€February€25,€1994,€at€which€point€he€was€released€by€his€treatingÐ å € Ðphysician€to€return€to€work.€€€On€Monday,€March€7,€1994,€King€spoke€with€Richard€Gilbert,Ð Å `  Ðwho€was€Kingððs€regional€manager€and€driver€supervisor,€on€the€telephone.€€During€thisÐ ¥@  Ðconversation,€Gilbert€informed€King€that€Kingððs€employment€was€being€terminated,€and€heÐ …  Ðreferenced€and€drew€Kingððs€attention€to€a€provision€within€the€employee€manual€whichÐ e Ðexplained€that€TFE€employees€could€be€ð ðsubject€to€dischargeðð€for€a€ð ðmajor€chargeableððÐ Eà Ðaccident.€€The€next€day,€on€March€8,€1994,€Gilbert€provided€to€the€Tennessee€DepartmentÐ %À Ðof€Employment€Security€(and€to€King,€who€applied€for€and€ultimately€drew€unemploymentÐ   Ðcompensation)€a€copy€of€a€ð ðseparation€notice,ðð€which€explained€that€Kingððs€ð ðdischargeðð€wasÐ å€ Ðbased€upon€his€involvement€in€a€ð ðmajor€preventable€accident.ðð€€On€this€same€date,€GilbertÐ Å` Ðsent€to€King€a€letter€that€explained€the€following:Ð ¥@ ÐÓÓà8  àAs€discussed,€TFE,€Inc.,€has€carefully€reviewed€all€relevant€data€concerningÐ …  Ðyour€March€25,€1993,€accident,€and€found€that€it€meets€the€definition€of€aÐ u! Ðmajor€preventable€(chargeable)€accident.Ðe" Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àFor€this€reason,€TFE,€Inc.,€elects€to€terminate€your€employment€under€theÐ E$à" Ðprovisions€of€Rule€1A,€as€published€in€your€copy€of€the€Driver€Handbook.Ð5%Ð #Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àIn€closing,€please€be€advised€that€any€request€to€have€the€DriversððÐ '°"% ÐCommittee€review€this€matter,€and€to€thereafter€make€a€recommendation€asÐ ( #& Ðto€whether€the€company€should€reconsider€this€action,€should€be€submittedÐ õ($' Ðin€accordance€with€procedures€also€contained€within€the€Driver€Handbook.Ðå)€%(Ð Ð  ÐÌÓÓThereafter,€King,€through€his€attorney,€requested€that€a€driver€committee€hearing€be€heldÐ Å+`'* Ðto€review€Kingððs€termination.€€€This€driver€committee,€which€is€the€initial€avenue€for€reviewÐ ¥-@), Ðof€disciplinary€action€according€to€the€ð ðEmployee€Handbookðð€under€the€heading€ð ðRules€andÐ …/ +. ÐRegulationsðð€and€under€the€sub„heading€ð ðAppeal€of€Company€Disciplinary€Action,ðð€is€aÐ e1-0 Ðcommittee€that€is€essentially€comprised€of€popularly€elected€driver€employees.€€€This€driverÐ E3à.2 Ðcommittee€hearing€took€place€on€April€30,€1994,€at€which€time€the€driver€committee€opinedÐ %5À04 Ðand€ð ðrecommendedðð€that€Kingððs€accident€be€deemed€ð ðnon„preventable,ðð€and€that€KingððsÐ 7 26 Ðemployment€should€not€have€been€terminated.€€€After€the€April€30,€1994€driver€committeeÐ å8€48 Ðhearing,€King€never€heard€from€or€spoke€with€TFE€again€about€his€employment,€and€hisÐ e Ðemployment€was€not€reinstated.Ð Eà ÐÌà  àOn€March€6,€1995,€King€commenced€this€action€against€TFE,€alleging€that€KingððsÐ    Ðemployment€with€TFE€was€wrongfully€terminated€in€violation€of€contractually€binding€termsÐ å € Ðand€conditions€set€forth€in€TFEððs€employment€manual,€and€alleging€that€TFE€terminatedÐ Å `  ÐKingððs€employment€in€retaliation€of€Kingððs€workersðð€compensation€claim.€€On€March€10,Ð ¥@  Ð1997,€TFE€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment,€which€came€to€be€heard€by€the€trial€courtÐ …  Ðon€August€21,€1997.€€In€addition€to€the€pleadings,€depositions€from€both€King€and€GilbertÐ e Ðwere€filed€with€the€trial€court€for€its€consideration€on€TFEððs€motion€for€summary€judgment.€Ð Eà ÐThereafter,€on€October€3,€1997,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€that€granted€TFEððs€motionÐ %À Ðfor€summary€judgment.€€In€this€order,€the€trial€court€explained,€among€other€things,€that€theÐ   Ðprovisions€within€TFEððs€employee€manual€that€related€to€disciplinary€procedures€did€notÐ å€ Ðcontain€any€specific€language€indicating€a€guarantee€or€binding€commitment€from€TFE.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð Å` Їà  àOn€appeal,€King€has€asserted€no€error€regarding€the€trial€courtððs€entry€of€summaryÐ e Ðjudgment€as€related€to€Kingððs€retaliatory€discharge€claim.€€The€sole€issue€that€he€hasÐ Eà Ðpresented€for€this€Courtððs€consideration€is€as€follows:Ð %À ÐÓÓà8  àDoes€a€factual€dispute€exist€that€creates€a€genuine€issue€for€trial€as€toÐ    Ðwhether€the€employment€of€[King]€was€terminated€by€.€.€.€TFE,€Inc.€inÐ õ  Ðviolation€of€contractually€binding€provisions€of€the€ð ðTFE€Professional€StaffingððÐ å € Ðmanual?ÐÕ p Ð Ð  ÐÌÌÓP.Óà@MM&ìàò òòòAnalysisóóó óˆÐ ¥@  ÐÌà  àAs€in€prior€similar€cases,€we€begin€our€analysis€of€this€issue€with€the€well„establishedÐ e Ðrule€ð ðthat€a€contract€for€employment€for€an€indefinite€term€is€a€contract€at€will€and€can€beÐ Eà Ðterminated€by€either€party€at€any€time€without€cause.ðð€€òòRose€v.€Tipton€County€Public€WorksÐ %À ÐDept.óó,€953€S.W.2d€690,€691€(Tenn.€App.€1997);€òòBringle€v.€Methodist€Hosp.óó,€701€S.W.2dÐ   Ð622,€625€(Tenn.€App.€1985).€€ð ðBecause€Tennessee€continues€to€adhere€to€the€foregoingÐ å€ Ðððemployee„at„willðð€rule,€a€presumption€arises€in€this€state€that€an€employee€is€an€employeeÐ Å` Ðat€will.ðð€€òòRoseóó,€953€S.W.2d€at€691„92€(citing€òòDavis€v.€Connecticut€Gen.€Life€Ins.€Co.óó,€743Ð ¥@ ÐF.€Supp.€1273,€1280€(M.D.€Tenn.€1990).€€During€Kingððs€deposition€in€the€instant€case,€heÐ …  Ðwas€asked,€ð ðwith€regard€to€TFE,€were€you€under€„„€is€it€your€position€or€your€contention€thatÐ e"  Ðyou€had€„„€you€were€under€some€contract€for€a€term€with€them?ðð€€Kingððs€direct€responseÐ E$à" Ðto€this€specific€question€was€ð ðno.ðð€€King€essentially€contends,€however,€that€his€ð ðat„willððÐ %&À!$ Ðstatus€was€changed€by€TFEððs€promulgation€and€issuance€of€its€employee€manual.€€In€thisÐ ( #& Ðregard,€this€Court€has€previously€stated€and€summarized€the€following:Ð å)€%( ÐÓÓà8  àEven€in€the€absence€of€a€definite€durational€term,€an€employment€contractÐ Å+`'* Ðstill€may€exist€with€regard€to€other€terms€of€employment.€€òòWilliams€v.Ð µ,P(+ ÐMaremont€Corp.óó,€776€S.W.2d€78,€80€(Tenn.€App.€1988);€€òòaccordóó€òòHooks€v.Ð ¥-@), ÐGibsonóó,€842€S.W.2d€625,€628€(Tenn.€App.€1992).€€In€this€regard,€this€CourtÐ e Ðhas€recognized€that€an€employee€handbook€can€become€a€part€of€anÐ Uð Ðemployment€contract.€€òòSmith€v.€Morrisóó,€778€S.W.2d€857,€858€(Tenn.€App.Ð Eà Ð1988)€(citing€òòHamby€v.€Genesco,€Inc.óó,€627€S.W.2d€373€(Tenn.€App.€1981));Ð 5Ð Ðòòaccordóó€òòDavis€v.€Connecticut€Gen.€Life€Ins.€Co.óó,€743€F.€Supp.€1273,€1278Ð %À Ð(M.D.€Tenn.€1990).€€In€order€to€constitute€a€contract,€however,€the€handbookÐ  ° Ðmust€contain€specific€language€showing€the€employer's€intent€to€be€boundÐ    Ðby€the€handbook's€provisions.€€òòSmith€v.€Morrisóó,€778€S.W.2d€at€858.€€UnlessÐ õ  Ðan€employee€handbook€contains€such€guarantees€or€binding€commitments,Ð å € Ðthe€handbook€will€not€constitute€an€employment€contract.€€òòWhittaker€v.Ð Õ p  ÐCare-More,€Inc.óó,€621€S.W.2d€395,€397€(Tenn.€App.€1981).€€As€stated€by€oneÐ Å `  Ðcourt,€in€order€for€an€employee€handbook€to€be€considered€part€of€anÐ µP  Ðemployment€contract,€"the€language€used€must€be€phrased€in€binding€terms,Ð ¥@  Ðinterpreted€in€the€context€of€the€entire€handbook,€and€read€in€conjunctionÐ •0  Ðwith€any€other€relevant€material,€such€as€an€employment€application."€Ð …  ÐòòClaiborne€v.€Frito-Lay,€Inc.óó,€718€F.€Supp.€1319,€1321€(E.D.€Tenn.€1989).ÐuÐ Ð  ÐÌÓ(6ÓòòRoseóó,€953€S.W.2d€at€692.€€While€we€have€previously€recognized€that€ð ðan€employeeÐ Uð Ðhandbookðð€can€become€a€part€of€an€employment€contract€in€some€cases,€our€concern€inÐ 5Ð Ðthe€instant€case€is€limited€to€the€specific€provisions€set€forth€within€TFEððs€employee€manualÐ ° Ðthat€govern€TFEððs€ð ðDisciplinary€Procedures,ðð€ð ðRules€and€Regulations,ðð€and€ð ðInvoluntaryÐ õ ÐTermination.ðð׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Our€review€of€these€provisions€reveals€that€the€pertinent€language€clearlyÐ Õp Ðreflects€TFEððs€intent€òòòònotóóóó€to€be€bound€either€by€particular€procedures€described€therein,€orÐ µP Ðby€the€ð ðrecommendationðð€of€the€driver€committee.׃P×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Under€the€heading€ð ðDisciplinaryÐ •0 ÐProcedures,ðð€TFEððs€manual€explains€that€its€management€ð ðhas€developed€a€òòòòguidelineóóóó€ofÐ u! Ðviolations€of€professional€performance€standards€and€reasonable€disciplinary€penalties.ðð€Ð U#ð! ÐTFE€thereafter€states,€ð ðòòThe€Company€retains€the€right€to€modify,€add€to€or€eliminate€workÐ 5%Ð # Ðrules€at€any€time€as€it€deems€necessary.óóðð€€An€employerððs€reservation€of€a€unilateral€rightÐ '°"% Ðto€modify€such€provisions€within€an€employee€handbook€generally€precludes€suchÐ õ($' Ðprovisions€from€being€considered€part€of€the€partiesðð€employment€contract.€€òòSeeóó€òòRoseóó,€953Ð e ÐS.W.2d€at€693„94€(citing€òòClaiborne€v.€Frito-Lay,€Inc.óó,€718€F.€Supp.€1319,€1321€(E.D.€Tenn.Ð Eà Ð1989)).€€Under€the€heading€ð ðRules€and€Regulations,ðð€TFEððs€manual€again€explains€that€theÐ %À Ðð ðrules€and€regulations€and€the€penalties€to€be€charged€for€violations€of€the€same€are€setÐ    Ðforth€as€òòòòguidelinesóóóó,€and€that€the€ð ðlist€of€violations€is€not€inclusive€andòò€the€company€may€addÐ å € Ðto€or€modify€it€at€any€timeóó.ðð€€Under€the€rules€and€regulations€sub„heading€ð ðAppeal€ofÐ Å `  ÐCompany€Disciplinary€Action,ðð€TFEððs€manual€explains€that€ð ðthe€driver€committee€is€yourÐ ¥@  Ðavenue€of€appeal,ðð€but€that€the€management€of€TFE€will€only€ð ðgive€every€òòconsiderationóó€toÐ …  Ðtheir€òòrecommendationsóó€and€findings.ðð€€Lastly,€under€the€heading€ð ðInvoluntary€Termination,ððÐ e ÐTFE€simply€states€that€it€will€simply€ð ðòòconsideróó€submitting€the€matter€to€an€Arbitratorðð€uponÐ Eà Ðan€employeeððs€request€after€submission€to€the€driver€committee.€€Therefore,€as€we€haveÐ %À Ðstated€above,€the€language€of€the€pertinent€provisions€within€TFEððs€employee€manualÐ   Ðclearly€reflects€TFEððs€intent€òòòònotóóóó€to€be€bound€either€by€particular€procedures€describedÐ å€ Ðtherein,€or€by€the€ð ðrecommendationðð€of€the€driver€committee.€€Moreover,€as€theseÐ Å` Ðprovisions€within€TFEððs€employee€manual€must€be€ð ðread€in€conjunction€with€any€otherÐ ¥@ Ðrelevant€material,ðð€we€find€it€relevant€to€further€note€that€King€signed€a€document€uponÐ …  Ðreceipt€of€TFEððs€employee€manual€that€acknowledged,€among€other€things,€that€theÐ e"  Ðmanual€in€no€way€created€or€established€an€employment€contract.€Ð E$à" ÐÌà@ìì*ìàò òòòˆÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@ËË%ìàConclusionóóó óˆÐ å8€48 Їà  àAccordingly,€we€hereby€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€grant€of€summary€judgment€to€TFE.€Ð e ÐCosts€are€taxed€to€Michael€King,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð Eà ÐÌÓÓÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð å € Ðóóà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àHIGHERS,€J.Ð Õ p  ÐÌÌÌCONCUR:Ð •0  ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ Uð ÐCRAWFORD,€P.J.,€W.S.Ð Eà ÐÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ   ÐLILLARD,€J.