ÿWPCI  /ª¬ä0>8[´žiØiY’¶:r"nÑÆðSº7míÖn½Ecå®ÂkˆEœ[Öt•œo'ú°Þ¯sVg«¹%~¥b_ÜÚ5àDwNvj–‹ÀåËêØ95Ã? þ÷L9LÁ:MæmÇÓÜ©NdøÌj‹d¿ELc ,gßj¡9xÛ‹‘-[ô#ið˜‹ëG#è1iò^èùÓérW¦ur)뱤·ge°¬%»nÆ‹zعƒj€œ‚Ú‘ÉB‘Ï)xÊ“.¹ý+E ,wPIéµÍ(ôs³4.H/šnªvɇOÍC©Cé}Õx$’ÇZ¤ºg£U«i‘«æ2ä·:‘œH5ìÇ+MbM.¤ÅׯñÊ ÓJð°]¾oååÚ¥òëZÐdŸŸ>ÜšËúdÊë0j‡óÿ´ó:Ø;œ_ì¼”µ®:u­3••Hñ],QB%m„¨¯×ë{µyu!VXIÙ\JH…“žz»ílŒÅÁÁ¡x†ƒcOrDµ<À>N&„ŠœX’ð…Ëd3vønÖ0æìX3„dSËrx]ŸŠ …\¤@øj¼—ÛhÄe¦’[‚â3/'Ü)‰ªO—Þ mÄ`q *# LUNW %¥ 0(«w@Ó4'>6 0lt 0Dà ¤$ È fÐ f6 0DœUNà¤.ÒU:ÔÔÔÔÔÔÔÔÔÔÔÔÔ AQÆ_ B% 0DB 0D†† D/ÊÊ Bù D3 ˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLHÎ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ ÛÜDÝáVâ+ãäåDæÓ€ð©yË&BB3|xð 4Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„7„709€reads:Ð ° ÐÌÓ  ÓMisrepresentation€to€obtain€benefits€-€Penalty.Ìà  à(a)€€Whoever€makes€a€false€statement€or€representation€knowing€it€to€be€false€or€knowinglyÏfails€to€disclose€a€material€fact,€to€obtain€or€increase€any€benefit€or€other€payment€under€this€chapter,Ïeither€for€himself€or€for€any€other€person,€commits€a€Class€C€misdemeanor;€and€each€such€falseÏstatement€or€representation€or€failure€to€disclose€a€material€fact€constitutes€a€separate€offense.€Ìà  à(b)€€All€prosecutions€for€offenses€defined€by€this€section€shall€be€commenced€within€two€(2)Ïyears,€next,€after€the€commission€of€the€offense.€ÌÓ’ÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„7„709€(1991).((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó šÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„7„709€reads:Ð ° ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àMisrepresentation€to€obtain€benefits€-€Penalty.Ð Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(a)€€Whoever€makes€a€false€statement€or€representation€knowing€it€to€be€falseÏor€knowingly€fails€to€disclose€a€material€fact,€to€obtain€or€increase€any€benefit€orÏother€payment€under€this€chapter,€either€for€himself€or€for€any€other€person,€commitsÏa€Class€C€misdemeanor;€and€each€such€false€statement€or€representation€or€failure€toÏdisclose€a€material€fact€constitutes€a€separate€offense.€Ð Ð Ð  Ðà  àà8 ` à(b)€€All€prosecutions€for€offenses€defined€by€this€section€shall€be€commencedÏwithin€two€(2)€years,€next,€after€the€commission€of€the€offense.€Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓ’ÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„7„709€(1991). \Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àThis€section,€involving€the€joinder€of€the€treasurer,€reads:Ð ° ÐÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓ  Óà ` à(a)€€In€any€case€in€any€court€of€this€state€involving€the€title€to€any€property,Ïincluding€but€not€limited€to€proceedings€involving€the€validity€or€construction€ofÏwills,€where€it€shall€appear€that€such€property€may€be€subject€to€escheat€under€thisÏchapter,€the€state€treasurer€shall€be€made€a€party€defendant€therein,€either€in€theÏoriginal€pleadings,€on€motion€of€any€party,€on€petition€of€the€treasurer,€or€by€theÏcourt€on€its€own€motion.€Process€shall€be€served€on€the€treasurer€as€otherwiseÏprovided€by€law,€and€after€making€such€investigation€as€he€deems€appropriate,€heÏshall,€through€the€attorney€general,€file€such€pleadings€and€take€such€position€as€mayÏbe€determined€to€best€protect€the€interest€of€the€state.€Ìà ` à(b)€€In€any€such€case,€if€the€court€decrees€that€the€property€has€escheated€toÏthis€state€under€this€chapter,€then€no€further€proceeding€shall€be€necessary€to€establishÏthe€state's€right€thereto€and€such€property€shall€be€disposed€of€by€the€treasurer€asÏherein€provided€for€other€property€escheating€to€the€state.€€€€€€€€€ÌÓ½ÓÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€31„6„114€(1984).€€ \Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àThis€section,€involving€the€joinder€of€the€treasurer,€reads:Ð ° ÐÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓ  Óà ` à(a)€€In€any€case€in€any€court€of€this€state€involving€the€title€to€any€property,Ïincluding€but€not€limited€to€proceedings€involving€the€validity€or€construction€ofÏwills,€where€it€shall€appear€that€such€property€may€be€subject€to€escheat€under€thisÏchapter,€the€state€treasurer€shall€be€made€a€party€defendant€therein,€either€in€theÏoriginal€pleadings,€on€motion€of€any€party,€on€petition€of€the€treasurer,€or€by€theÏcourt€on€its€own€motion.€Process€shall€be€served€on€the€treasurer€as€otherwiseÏprovided€by€law,€and€after€making€such€investigation€as€he€deems€appropriate,€heÏshall,€through€the€attorney€general,€file€such€pleadings€and€take€such€position€as€mayÏbe€determined€to€best€protect€the€interest€of€the€state.€Ìà ` à(b)€€In€any€such€case,€if€the€court€decrees€that€the€property€has€escheated€toÏthis€state€under€this€chapter,€then€no€further€proceeding€shall€be€necessary€to€establishÏthe€state's€right€thereto€and€such€property€shall€be€disposed€of€by€the€treasurer€asÏherein€provided€for€other€property€escheating€to€the€state.€€€€€€€€€ÌÓ½ÓÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€31„6„114€(1984).€€(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý'Ör Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular šÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ýà ` àTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„7„709€reads:Ð ° ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àMisrepresentation€to€obtain€benefits€-€Penalty.Ð Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(a)€€Whoever€makes€a€false€statement€or€representation€knowing€it€to€be€falseÏor€knowingly€fails€to€disclose€a€material€fact,€to€obtain€or€increase€any€benefit€orÏother€payment€under€this€chapter,€either€for€himself€or€for€any€other€person,€commitsÏa€Class€C€misdemeanor;€and€each€such€false€statement€or€representation€or€failure€toÏdisclose€a€material€fact€constitutes€a€separate€offense.€Ð Ð Ð  Ðà  àà8 ` à(b)€€All€prosecutions€for€offenses€defined€by€this€section€shall€be€commencedÏwithin€two€(2)€years,€next,€after€the€commission€of€the€offense.€Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓ’ÓÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„7„709€(1991). øÝ ƒ¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X"XXXÔÔ€ XX"ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X"X ÔÐ  ÐÌJuly€29,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular!#$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 d(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd""""'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýñæñ›ñæñÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ7€<µXXdðdÈ7Ñò òÔ‡XÃCXXXÔÑ  Ññðññæñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@Eȱ` 8ttxP°ð  rßñæññðññðññðññæñ›ñæñà@ ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEó óˆÐ ° Ðò òñðñœßt€ )>.*jx<` `€€@EæØ` 8ttxPœð < tß›ñðñà@úú$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ œì Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌóóÌKERRY€THOMPSON,€€€€€€€€à h à€€€€€€€à À àÔ#†X<µXXXÃC´#ÔÔ‡XÃCXXX<µÔ)à  àà p àÐ L œ Ðó óà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àò ò)ó óÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àPlaintiff/Appellee,à  àà h àà À àò ò)à  àó óWilliamson€Chancery€No.€23619Ð $ t Ðò òà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ó óà  àà p àÐ  d Ðò òv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  à€Ð  P  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àó óAppeal€No.€01A01„9801„CH„00045ò òÐ ì <  ÐTELCO,€INC.€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€à  àà h àà À àÔ#†X<µXXXÃCo#ÔÔ‡XÃCXXX<µÔ)à  àÐ Ü,  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àó óDefendant/Appellant.à  àò òà h àà À à)Ð ´  Ðà  àó óòòÌóóò òÌÌÌà@ÔÔìàó óAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CHANCERY€COURT€OF€WILLIAMSON€COUNTYˆÐ T¤ Ðà@÷÷ìàAT€FRANKLIN,€TENNESSEEˆÌÌÌà@M M ìàTHE€HONORABLE€HENRY€DENMARK€BELL,€CHANCELLORˆÌòòÌóóÔ#†X<µXXXÃC†#ÔÌÔ‡XÃCXXX<µÔòòÌÌFor€the€Defendant/Appellantóó:òòà  àà h àà À àFor€the€Plaintiff/Appelleeóó:òòÐ ¤ô ÐÌóóAlan€Mark€Turk€€€€€€€€€€à  àà h àà À àJulie€E.€Officer€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð |Ì ÐBrentwood,€Tennessee€€à  àà h àà À àNashville,€Tennessee€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð h ¸ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ÌÌÌÌò òÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àREVERSED€AND€REMANDEDÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àó óHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð ´($' ÐÌÌÌCONCURS:ÌòòÌóóBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€J.Ð <.Œ)- ÐÌWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€J.Ô#†X<µXXXÃC‚ #ÔÐ  0d+/ ÐØØÑ7€<µXXdðXXdð7ÑÑ  Ñò òÓ  Óà@55'ìàOPINIONˆÐ ° Ðó óÌÓÓà  àThis€case€involves€the€alleged€breach€of€an€employment€contract.€€The€plaintiff€employeeÏargued€that€a€letter€signed€by€him€and€the€defendant€employer€created€a€five„year€employmentÏcontract.€€The€trial€court€found€that€the€letter€was€an€agreement€for€employment€for€a€five„year€term,€Ïawarded€the€employee€$62,235€for€breach€of€contract,€and€required€the€employee€to€pay€into€courtÏunemployment€compensation€benefits€he€received.€€The€employer€appeals.€€We€reverse€and€remand.Ìà  àPlaintiff/Appellee€Kerry€Thompson€(ð ðThompsonðð)€started€working€for€Defendant/AppellantÏTelco,€Inc.€(ð ðTelcoðð)€on€April€10,€1992€as€a€telephone€repair€technician.€€The€parties€executed€aÏdocument€entitled€ð ðTerms€of€Employment€Agreement€between€Kerry€Thompson€and€Telco,€Inc.ððÏon€that€date,€which€read:ÌÓ‡ ÓÒ°ÒÒ°Ò1)à ` àTelco€will€pay€Kerry€Thompson€$10.00€per€hour.Ð pÀ Ð2)€à ` àKerry€will€be€guaranteed€a€minimum€$1.00€per€hour€raise€per€year€over€theÐ `° Ðnext€five€(5)€years.Ì3)€à ` àTwo€weeks€paid€vacation€per€year€(July€&€December).Ð @ Ð4)€à ` àTwo€bonuses€per€year€of€$600€each€on€June€6th€and€Dec.€12th.Ð 0€ Ð5)à ` àTelco€agrees€to€pay€insurance€for€Kerry€Thompson.€€Kerry€will€pay€his€ownÐ  p Ðdependent€insurance.Ì6)à ` àWeekly€work€hours€will€be€40€Hours.€€Minimum€Telco€will€allow€will€be€5„Ð P Ð10€hours€overtime€per€week€as€soon€as€demand€requires€it.ÌÒ°ñÒÒ°ãÒÌÓÓThe€letter€was€signed€by€Thompson€and€by€Gregory€J.€Wass€(ð ðWassðð).€€Wass€was€the€manager€ofÏTelcoððs€telephone€repair€center€and€Thompsonððs€direct€supervisor.€€Thompson€worked€for€TelcoÏuntil€August€8,€1995.€€The€termination€letter€from€Telco€dated€August€9,€1995€states€that€ThompsonÏwas€laid€off€ð ðdue€to€lack€of€work.ðð€€Thompson€received€unemployment€benefits€of€approximatelyÏ$5684.€€€Ìà  àThompson€filed€a€lawsuit€on€October€11,€1995€alleging€breach€of€the€letter€agreement.€€HeÏsought€lost€wages€and€benefits€allegedly€due€him€under€the€agreement.€€Telcoððs€answer€admitted€theÏauthenticity€of€the€letter€agreement€but€denied€that€it€constituted€a€five„year€employment€contract.€ÏTelco€maintained€that€Thompson€was€an€at„will€employee€and€that€the€agreement€merely€guaranteedÏa€rate€of€compensation€if€Thompson€remained€employed.€€Telco€also€raised€several€affirmativeÏdefenses,€namely,€that€Thompson€breached€the€agreement€by€failing€to€work€forty€hours€a€week€andÏby€failing€to€satisfactorily€perform€his€duties,€that€the€termination€letter€was€a€valid€accord€andÏâ âsatisfaction,€that€Thompson€was€estopped€from€filing€suit,€and€the€statute€of€frauds.Ð P7 26 Ðà  àBoth€parties€filed€motions€for€summary€judgment.€€Telco€filed€affidavits€of€the€€managementÏpersonnel€at€Telco,€as€well€as€numerous€employee€records.€€Thompson€also€filed€several€affidavits,Ïincluding€his€own.€€The€trial€court€denied€both€motions.Ìâ âà  àThe€bench€trial€commenced€on€November€6,€œ1996.€€Thompson›€was€the€sole€witness€onÏNovember€6€and€was€questioned€extensively€by€his€counsel€and€opposing€œcounsel.€€Thompson›Ïtestified€about€his€employment€at€Telco.€€He€œdenied€requesting›€that€his€termination€be€characterizedÏas€for€ð ðlack€of€workðð€œso€that›€he€could€receive€unemployment€benefits.€€He€admitted,€however,€thatÏby€putting€lack€of€work€as€the€reason€for€his€termination,€Telco€made€him€eligible€for€unemploymentÏbenefits.€€He€also€œadmitted€that€he›€received€unemployment€benefits.€€Although€Thompson€did€notÏbelieve€that€he€had€done€anything€for€which€Telco€could€terminate€him,€he€acknowledged€that€heÏwas€told€that€he€was€being€terminated€for€the€reasons€listed€on€the€termination€report,€includingÏviolations€of€the€employee€guidelines,€unsatisfactory€performance,€and€failure€to€work€forty€hoursÏper€week.ò òÐ 0€ Ðà  àó óThompsonððs€counsel€then€closed€œhis›€proof,€after€which€counsel€for€Telco€made€a€motion€toÐ ` Ðdismiss€the€complaint.€€The€trial€court€adjourned€to€consider€the€motion€and€read€the€partiesðð€pre„trialÏbriefs,€which€were€not€made€part€of€the€record€on€appeal.€€Ìà  àAt€the€beginning€of€the€next€day€of€trial,€the€trial€judge€òòsua€sponteóó€entered€an€order€findingÐ °"  Ðthat,€in€agreeing€on€ð ðlack€of€workðð€as€a€cause€for€termination,€the€parties€ð ðmay€haveðð€violatedÏTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„7„709,€which€sets€forth€a€criminal€penalty€for€a€misrepresentationÏin€order€to€œreceive€unemployment›€compensation.ñÕññÝñœñâñ׃ ×ñâññâñ׃×ñâññÝññÝñ׃×ñÝñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×›€€€The€trial€court€ordered€the€county€districtÐ P( #& Ðattorney€to€investigate€the€case.€€In€addition,€the€trial€court€struck€Telcoððs€affirmative€defense€ofÏaccord€and€satisfaction€regarding€the€termination€letter€because€the€defense€was€based€on€aÐ ,`'* Ðfraudulent€contract€to€obtain€unemployment€benefits€and€ordered€Thompson€to€reimburse€theÏDepartment€of€Employment€Security€for€the€amount€of€unemployment€benefits€he€had€received,€plusÏinterest,€within€thirty€days.€€The€order€also€provided€that€if€Thompson€failed€to€remit€the€moniesÏwithin€thirty€days,€the€trial€court€would€dismiss€the€complaint.€€Court€was€then€adjourned.€€ThereÏwas€no€further€testimony€before€court€adjourned.€€à  àœÐ 0 € Ðà  àBased›€on€circumstances€unrelated€to€the€employment€compensation,€Thompsonððs€counselÏfiled€a€motion€for€extension€of€time€for€dismissal€of€Plaintiffððs€case€with€a€supporting€affidavit€onÏDecember€18,€1996.€€On€that€same€day€Thompsonððs€counsel€filed€a€motion€to€alter€or€amend,Ïarguing€that€Telco,€not€Thompson,€prepared€the€termination€letter€and€thus€should€be€responsibleÏfor€reimbursing€the€Department€of€Employment€Security.€€The€motion€also€requested€permission€forÏthe€funds€to€be€paid€to€the€clerk€and€master€of€the€court€until€final€disposition€of€the€œcase.€€Telco›€filedÏa€response€to€Thompsonððs€motion,€denying€that€it€violated€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„7„709,Ïand€arguing€that€the€statute€does€not€provide€that€the€employer€must€reimburse€the€State€forÏunemployment€benefits€fraudulently€received€by€the€employee.€€The€trial€court€denied€ThompsonððsÏmotion€to€alter€or€amend,€but€granted€the€motion€for€an€extension.€Ìà  àIn€January,€1997,€the€trial€court€entered€another€order,€noting€that€the€Department€ofÏEmployment€Security€would€not€accept€the€funds€and€allowing€Thompson€to€pay€the€funds€to€theÏclerk€and€master€of€the€court.€€After€the€funds€were€paid,€trial€was€reset€for€November,€1997.€€€€€€€€Ïà  àAt€trial,€the€parties€disputed€the€effect€of€the€April€10,€1992€letter.€€Telco€argued€that€theÏletter€created€only€an€expectation€of€compensation,€not€guaranteed€employment€for€a€definite€term.€ÏThompson€argued€that€the€letter€created€an€employment€contract€with€a€definite€five„year€term.€€InÏaddition,€the€parties€disputed€whether€Thompson€requested€Telco€to€state€ð ðlack€of€workðð€as€theÏreason€for€his€termination.€Ìà  àThompson€testified€that€he€signed€the€April€10,€1992€agreement€approximately€one€weekÏafter€he€accepted€employment€with€Telco.€€He€said€that€he€wanted€an€employment€agreementÏbecause€he€had€been€advised€by€someone€who€had€previously€worked€for€Telco€that€ð ðthey€didnððtÏstand€behind€what€they€said€they€was€going€to€do.ðð€€Thompson€described€his€reasons€for€enteringÏinto€the€agreement:ÌÓMÓÒ°ÒÒ°Òà ` àThe€main€thing€I€wanted€as€far€as€the€40€hours,€I€wanted€to€be€sure€that€I€hadÏtime€available.€€If€I€left€my€other€job€to€come€work€for€them,€I€didnððt€want€them€toÐ  :p59 Ðall€of€a€sudden€say,€well,€we€can€only€have€you€here€for€20€hours€a€week.€€I€wantedÏto€be€guaranteed€œthat€that›€40€would€be€there€available€for€me,€and€some€overtime.ÌÌÒ°Q*ÒÒ°_*ÒÓ\ÓUnder€the€terms€of€the€agreement,€he€received€$1.00€per€hour€yearly€pay€raises.Ìà  àWass€testified€that€he€did€not€intend€for€the€letter€agreement€he€and€Thompson€signed€to€beÏa€five„year€contract:€€ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓ,Óà ` àWell,€what€we€were€trying€to€do€at€the€time€was€establish€some€type€of€payÏscale€for€him€so€when€he€came€aboard€we€could€try€to€establish€what€his€pay€rate€wasÏgoing€to€be€and€set€up€some€bonuses€and€just€try€to€determine€where€he€could€beÏwithin€any€time€period,€per€year,€one€year€up€to€five€years.Ìà ` àAll€we€were€trying€to€do€is€set€down€some€parameters€for€him€to€realize€hisÏpotential€and€say,€okay,€with€this€company€if€you€are€here€up€to€five€years,€you€couldÏbe€making€ð ðXðð€amount€of€dollars€per€hour€and€you€could€achieve€this€and€beyondÏthis€period,€you€could€go€further€than€that.€€We€just€kind€of€left€the€constraint€hereÏto€kind€of€give€him€some€parameters€to€adjust€for€his€cost€of€living,€over€time,Ïperhaps,€and€for€him€to€get€an€ideal€[sic]€were€[were]€he€could€be€providedÏeverything€worked€out.€Ìà ` àBut€in€no€way,€shape€or€form,€as€the€good€Lord€as€my€witness,€was€there€everÏany€intent€here€for€this€to€be€guaranteed€employment€for€five€years.€€It€was€just€a€payÏscale€type€thing€and€that€is€all€it€was.ÌÌÒ°ç,ÒÒ°õ,ÒÓÓDavid€Burt,€Telcoððs€Chief€Financial€Officer,€testified€that€none€of€the€other€approximately€twoÏhundred€seventy€Telco€employees€have€any€type€of€employment€contract.Ìà  àThe€parties€also€testified€about€the€application€and€enforcement€of€the€employee€guidelines.€ÏThe€Telco€Employee€Guidelines,€signed€by€Thompson€in€January,€1993,€provide:€ð ðIf€you€clock„inÏafter€8:00€a.m.,€you€do€not€get€a€morning€break.€€There€are€no€exceptions!€€Anyone€not€adhering€toÏthis€policy€will€be€docked€15€minutes.ðð€€Thompson€had€several€disciplinary€action€reports€indicatingÏthat€he€arrived€late€for€work,€but€took€a€morning€break€in€violation€of€the€employee€guidelines.€ÏThompson€was€written€up€on€October€24,€1994,€January€31,€1995,€August€1,€1995,€August€3,€1995,Ïand€August€7,€1995.€€Thompson€did€not€dispute€that€the€reports€were€filled€out€on€him,€but€testifiedÏthat€he€had€not€seen€one€of€them.ò òÐ ,`'* Ðó óà  àThompson€testified€that€he€routinely€arrived€after€8:00€a.m.€for€work€and€that,€prior€to€theÐ ð-@), Ðfall€of€1994,€Telco€management€never€told€him€it€was€necessary€to€arrive€exactly€at€8:00.€€He€neverÏreceived€any€admonitions€concerning€his€failure€to€work€forty€hours€per€week.€€Thompson€testifiedÏthat€he€never€refused€work;€he€simply€did€whatever€Wass€brought€him€to€do.€€He€also€denied€beingÏinsubordinate€to€any€manager€at€Telco.€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ìà  àThompson€testified€that€he€did€not€believe€that€all€of€the€employee€guidelines€applied€to€himÏbased€on€statements€allegedly€made€by€Wass€that€he€should€not€worry€about€certain€rules€such€asÐ 09€48 Ðbreak€times€or€arrival€by€8:00€a.m.€€He€admitted€that€the€partiesðð€letter€agreement€did€not€say€thatÏthe€employee€guidelines€did€not€apply€to€him.€€€€€€Ìà  àTelco€introduced€Thompsonððs€personnel€file€showing€that€Thompson€consistently€workedÏless€than€forty€hours€per€week.€€Telco€also€introduced€into€evidence€the€employee€personnel€files€forÏseveral€other€telephone€repair€technicians€showing€they€worked€considerably€more€hours€thanÏThompson.€€ÌÓa1ÓÓÓà  àSamuel€Price€Johnson,€the€Technician€Supervisor€at€Telco,€testified€about€the€change€inÏTelcoððs€product€mix.€€He€also€testified€that€other€telephone€repair€technicians€worked€overtime€whileÏThompson€did€not,€which€created€morale€problems€with€the€other€workers.€€Chris€Kivalon,€theÏProduction€Control€Manager€at€Telco,€testified€that€Thompsonððs€habit€of€coming€in€late€for€work€andÏnevertheless€taking€a€morning€break€created€morale€problems€in€his€department€because€he€strictlyÏenforced€the€employee€guidelines€against€the€employees€in€his€department.€€€€€Ìà  àWass,€Thompsonððs€immediate€supervisor,€also€testified€that€the€product€mix€of€the€companyÏchanged€over€the€years€Thompson€was€employed.€€He€testified€that,€although€Thompson€neverÏrefused€work,€Thompson€indicated€that€he€preferred€not€to€work€on€certain€products.€€He€deniedÏtelling€Thompson€that€some€of€the€employee€guidelines€did€not€apply€to€him,€but€admitted€that€heÏdid€not€write€Thompson€up€for€violations€of€the€guidelines€until€October,€1994.€€Ìà  àTimothy€James€Burgin,€Telcoððs€General€Manager,€testified€that€he€wrote€Thompson€upÏseveral€times€for€violations€of€the€employee€guidelines.€€Burgin€testified€that,€at€a€meeting€about€oneÏof€the€discipline€reports,€Thompson€told€him€that,€if€Telco€was€not€satisfied€with€his€performanceÏand€wanted€to€terminate€him,€the€company€would€have€to€buy€out€the€remainder€of€his€contract.€Ìà  àDavid€Burt,€Telcoððs€Chief€Financial€Officer,€testified€that,€on€the€day€Thompson€was€fired,ÏThompson€requested€that€Telco€find€a€way€to€get€him€unemployment€benefits.€€Burt€explained€whyÏhe€wrote€the€letter€listing€ð ðlack€of€workðð€as€the€reason€for€Thompsonððs€termination:€ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓà ` à[D]uring€the€day€that€Kerry€was€terminated,€he€was€requesting€that€we€workÏout€a€way€so€that€he€would€receive€unemployment€benefits.€€We€thought€about€it€andÏI€talked€it€over€with€the€other€members€of€management€over€the€next€couple€of€daysÏbefore€he€called€us€back€and,€you€know,€we€reviewed€the€reasons€for€why€he€wasÏterminated€and€we€just€kind€of€rationalized€that€there€really€was€a€lack€of€work€andÏhe€wasnððt€giving€us€a€good€40€hours€a€week€and€so€forth.€€And,€you€know,€althoughÏI€realize€now€that€wasnððt€the€best€decision€I€have€ever€made,€that€was€the€decisionÏthat€we€did€make€and€we€worded€it€that€he€had€been€laid€off€due€to€lack€of€work€forÏthat€reason.ÌÐ  :p59 ÐÓ«@ÓÒ°@ÒÒ°@Òà  àWass€stated€that€he€was€not€involved€in€the€decision€to€state€that€Thompson€was€terminatedÏfor€ð ðlack€of€work.ðð€€He€testified€that€Thompson€was€terminated€for€breaking€the€rules€and€not€beingÏable€to€adapt€to€the€changes€occurring€in€the€company.Ìà  àTim€Burgin€testified,€that€at€the€August€8th€termination€meeting,€Thompson€became€upsetÏabout€the€prospect€of€not€having€any€income.€€At€first,€according€to€Burgin,€Thompson€demandedÏhis€annuity€check€and€then€asked€if€there€was€a€way€to€word€the€termination€letter€so€that€he€couldÏreceive€unemployment€compensation€benefits.€€Burgin€admitted€that€the€real€reason€for€ThompsonððsÏtermination€was€insubordination€and€failure€to€follow€the€employee€guidelines.€€The€terminationÏreport€in€Thompsonððs€personnel€file€stated€that€Thompson€was€terminated€for€ð ðRepeated€violationsÏof€Rules,€Disregard€for€authority,€Unsatisfactory€performance€(amount€of€out€put€for€time€spent)ððÏand€for€ð ðviolation€of€contract€„€not€working€40+€hours.ðð€€€€Ìà  àIn€an€a€memorandum€opinion,€the€trial€court€concluded€that€the€April€10,€1992€letterÏagreement€was€a€contract€for€a€five„year€term.€€It€found€that€ð ð[t]o€the€extent€that€there€are€conflictsÏbetween€the€testimony€of€plaintiff€and€the€testimony€of€Greg€Wass€and€Tim€Burgin,€the€court€creditsÏthe€testimony€of€plaintiff.ðð€€In€addition,€the€trial€court€found€that€Telco€had€waived€its€right€to€relyÏupon€the€employee€guidelines€as€a€reason€for€termination,€because€of€its€habitual€failure€to€enforceÏthem.€€The€trial€court€awarded€Thompson€$62,235€plus€interest.€€Ìà  àRegarding€the€unemployment€compensation€benefit€funds,€the€trial€court€ordered:ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓIT€IS€FURTHER€DECLARED€AND€DECREED€that€the€fund€in€the€amount€of€FiveÏThousand€Six€Hundred€Eighty€Four€Dollars€and€38/100€now€held€by€the€Clerk€andÏMaster€pursuant€to€prior€orders€is€hereby€escheated€to€the€State€of€Tennessee€and€theÏclerk€is€directed€to€furnish€appropriate€notice€to€the€State€Treasurer€in€accordanceÏwith€T.C.A.€ðð€31„6„114.ÌÌÒ°hJÒÒ°ZJÒÓvJÓà  àOn€appeal,€Telco€argues€that€the€April€10,€1992€letter€agreement€was€not€a€contract€for€a€five„¼year€term€of€employment,€and€that€it€had€good€cause€to€terminate€Thompson.€€Telco€argues€that€theÏtrial€court€erred€in€not€dismissing€the€lawsuit€after€finding€that€Thompson€had€unclean€hands.€€TelcoÏcontends€it€was€error€for€the€trial€court€to€òòsua€sponte€óóstrike€its€defense€of€accord€and€satisfactionÐ °1-0 Ðbefore€Telco€introduced€evidence€on€the€defense.€€Telco€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€findingÏthat€Telco€waived€its€right€to€enforce€the€employee€guidelines.€€Telco€also€argues€that€the€amountÏof€the€judgment€was€erroneous€because€it€was€not€supported€by€the€evidence€and€because€the€trialÏcourt€did€not€consider€Thompsonððs€duty€to€mitigate€damages.€€Thompson€maintains€that€the€awardÐ 09€48 Ðof€damages€should€be€affirmed,€but€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€requiring€him€to€reimburse€theÏunemployment€compensation€benefits€he€received.€Ìà  àOur€review€of€this€case€is€governed€by€Rule€13(d)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€AppellateÏProcedure,€which€provides€that€review€of€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court€shall€be€òòde€novo€óóupon€theÐ P   Ðrecord€of€the€trial€court,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctness,€unless€the€evidenceÏpreponderates€otherwise.€€òòò òSee€óóó óTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d);€ò òòòUnion€Carbide€Corp.€v.€Huddlestonóóó ó,€854Ð `  ÐS.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993).€Findings€of€law€are€not€entitled€to€a€presumption€of€correctness€and€ourÏreview€is€òòde€novoóó.€€òòò òSee€Rainey€v.€Stansellóóó ó,€836€S.W.2d€117,€118€(Tenn.€App.€1992).€ò òÐ Ð  Ðà  àó óTelco€argues€first€that€the€April€10,€1992€letter€agreement€was€not€a€contract€for€a€definiteÐ ° Ðterm€of€employment.€€Telco€does€not€dispute€that€the€letter€agreement€was€a€valid€contract€regardingÏThompsonððs€compensation€and€other€benefits€if€he€remained€employed.€€Thus,€Telco€argues€that€theÏletter€created€a€guaranteed€compensation€level€if€Thompson€remained€employed,€but€not€a€guaranteeÏof€employment€for€a€specific€term.€€Ìà  àThompson€argues€that€the€circumstances€show€that€the€parties€meant€the€letter€agreement€toÏbe€a€five„year€employment€contract,€such€as€Thompsonððs€testimony€that€he€would€not€have€left€hisÏprior€job€without€a€contract.€€Thompson€also€points€to€statements€by€Telco€employees€thatÏThompson€had€a€contract,€such€as€Burginððs€statement€in€Thompsonððs€termination€meeting€thatÏworking€less€than€forty€hours€a€week€was€a€breach€of€his€employment€contract,€as€well€as€theÏtermination€report€stating€that€Thompson€violated€the€contract€by€not€working€forty€hours€a€week.€Ïà  àTennessee€has€long€adhered€to€the€doctrine€of€employment€at€will.€€òòò òSee€Bennett€v.€Steiner„Ð P( #& ÐLiff€Iron€&€Metal€Co.óóó ó,€826€S.W.2d€119,€121€(Tenn.€1992).€€Under€the€employment€at€will€doctrine,Ð 0*€%( Ðin€the€absence€of€a€clear€contractual€agreement,€either€party€in€the€employment€relationship€mayÏterminate€the€relationship€at€any€time,€with€or€without€cause.€€òòò òSee€id.ó óóó€€€ð ð[T]here€is€a€presumption€thatÐ ð-@), Ðan€employee€is€an€employee€at€will.€€This€presumption€must€be€overcome€by€specific€languageÏguaranteeing€a€definite€term€of€employment.ðð€€òòò òDavis€v.€Connecticut€Gen.€Life€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,€743€F.Ð °1-0 ÐSupp.€1273,€1280€(M.D.€Tenn.€1990).€€Employment€for€an€indefinite€term€is€employment€at€will.€Ïòòò òNelson€Trabue,€Inc.€v.€Professional€Management-Automotive,€Inc.ó óóó,€589€S.W.2d€661,€663€(Tenn.Ð p5À04 Ðâ â1979);€€òòò òHooks€v.€Gibsonó óóó,€842€S.W.2d€625,€628€(Tenn.€App.€1992).€€€Ð P7 26 Ðà  àTelco€cites€òòò òLoeffler€v.€Kjellgrenóóó ó,€884€S.W.2d€463€(Tenn.€App.€1994),€in€support€of€itsÐ ° Ðâ âargument€that€the€letter€agreement€was€not€a€five„year€contract.€€In€òòò òLoeffleróóó ó,€an€employee€sued€hisÐ à Ðformerò òòò€ó óóóemployer€for€breach€of€contract,€based€on€a€letter€that€the€employee€asserted€was€a€contract.€Ð pÀ ÐDuring€the€employment€negotiations,€the€employer€sent€the€employee€the€following€letter:ÌÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÓÓThis€letter€will€confirm€my€interest€in€employing€your€services€to€establish€and€runÏa€plastic€company€(splash€guards).ÌÌAs€you€requested,€I€have€outlined€your€expectations€for€compensation:Ì1)€€First€year€salaryà  àà h à$45,000.00Ð ð@  Ð2)€€Second€year€salaryà h à$50,000.00Ð à0  Ð3)€€Participation€in€group€insurance€plan€provided€by€Fleetline.Ì4)€€Reimbursement€for€relocation€to€TennesseeÌ5)€€After€working€for€four€(4)€years,€you€will€be€provided€a€$25,000.00€per€year€forÏfour€(4)€years€for€consulting€fees.ÌÌThanking€you,€in€advance,€and€hoping€to€hear€from€you€in€the€very€near€future,€IÏremain,€ÌÌYours€very€truly,€ÌÌFred€M.€KjellgrenÌPresidentÌÒ°É\ÒÒ°×\ÒÌÓå\Óòòò òId.óóó ó€at€466.€€The€trial€court€directed€a€verdict€on€the€breach€of€contract€claim,€finding€that€the€letterÐ P Ðdid€not€constitute€an€offer.€€òòò òSee€id.óóó ó€at€467.€€The€appellate€court€found€no€material€evidence€to€supportÐ à0 Ðthe€employeeððs€claim€that€the€letter€was€a€contract.€€òòò òSee€id.óóó ó€at€468.€€The€appellate€court€stated€thatÐ À! Ðð ð[t]he€letter€merely€confirms€defendantsðð€ððinterestðð€in€employing€plaintiffððs€services€and€outlines,Ïper€plaintiffððs€request,€plaintiffððs€ððexpectations€for€compensation.ðð€€The€letter€does€not€offer€theÏplaintiff€a€contract€of€employment€for€an€eight€year€term.ðð€€òòò ò€Id.óóó ó€€The€court€noted€that,€in€order€toÐ `'°"% Ðovercome€the€presumption€in€Tennessee€that€employment€is€terminable€at€will,€ð ðthe€employer€mustÏuse€specific€language€which€guarantees€employment€for€a€definite€term.ðð€€€òòò òId.óóó ó€€€Theò òòò€Loeffleró óóó€courtÐ  +p&) Ðconcluded€that€the€letter€ð ðsimply€set€forth€what€plaintiff€could€expect€to€earn€by€way€ofÏcompensation€if€he€continued€to€work€for€Fleetline;€there€is€no€guarantee€of€employment€for€aÏdefinite€term.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóóÐ À0,/ Ðà  àTelco€also€cites€òòò òBrock€v.€Provident€Life€and€Accident€Insurance€Co.óóó ó,€No.€03A01„9509„CV„Ð  2ð-1 Ð00297,€1996€WL€134943€(Tenn.€App.€Mar.€27,€1996).€€In€òòò òBrockóóó ó,€when€all€of€€the€plaintiff€employeesÐ €4Ð/3 Ðwere€originally€hired,€they€signed€documents€explaining€that€their€employment€was€at„will.€€òòò òSee€id.óóó óÐ `6°15 Ðat€**1.€€The€employees€argued,€however,€that€a€subsequent€letter€accepting€them€into€a€specialÏproject€unit€within€the€company€created€an€employment€contract€for€a€specific€term.€€òòò òSee€id.óóó ó€at€**2.€Ð  :p59 ÐThe€subsequent€letter€read,€ð ðThis€project€assignment€period€is€between€2€ðð€to€3€years.ðð€òòò òId.€óóó ó€The€€trialÐ ° Ðcourt€concluded€that€the€letter€did€not€change€the€employeesðð€status€from€at„will€employment,€andÏthis€was€affirmed€on€appeal.€€òòò òSee€id.óóó ó€at€**4„5.€€Relying€on€òòò òLoeffleróóó ó,€this€Court€found€no€languageÐ pÀ Ðguaranteeing€employment€or€stating€a€specific€term€for€employment.€€òòò òSee€id.óóó ó€at€**4.€€The€Court€alsoÐ P   Ðnoted€that€other€language€in€the€second€letter€stated€that€it€was€not€a€contractual€agreement.€€òòò òSee€id.óóó ó€Ð 0 € Ðà  àThompson€distinguishes€òòò òLoeffleróóó ó€by€noting€that€the€letter€in€òòò òLoeffler€óóó ómerely€indicated€anÐ `  Ðinterest€in€hiring€the€employee,€while€the€letter€in€this€case€was€an€agreement€reflecting€the€intentÏof€the€parties.€€In€this€case,€it€is€undisputed€that€the€letter€agreement€was€an€employment€contract;Ïthe€dispute€is€whether€the€parties€intended€the€terms€of€the€contract€to€include€employment€for€aÏdefinite€term€of€five€years.€€The€only€language€in€the€letter€that€is€arguable€is€the€provision€thatÏThompson€ð ðwill€be€guaranteed€a€minimum€$1.00€per€hour€raise€per€year€over€the€next€five€(5)Ïyears.ðð€€Clearly€the€import€of€this€statement€is€to€convey€the€level€at€which€Thompson€would€beÏcompensated,€not€the€length€of€time€he€would€be€employed.€€Under€Tennessee€caselaw,€the€referenceÏto€five€years€is€not€sufficiently€specific€to€create€a€contract€for€a€definite€term€of€employment.€€òòò òSeeÐ ` ÐDavis€v.€Connecticut€Gen.€Life€Ins.€Co.ó óóó,€743€F.€Spp..€1273,€1280€(M.D.€Tenn.€1990);€òòò òBrock€v.Ð ð@ ÐProvident€Life€and€Accident€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,€No.€03A01„9509„CV„00297,€1996€WL€134943,€at€**4€(Tenn.Ð Ð  ÐApp.€Mar.€27,€1996);ò òòò€Loeffler€v.€Kjellgrenóóó ó,€884€S.W.2d€463,€468€(Tenn.€App.€1994).€€Moreover,€theÐ °"  Ðtestimony€of€the€parties€does€not€indicate€that€the€parties€intended€to€create€an€agreement€forÏemployment€for€a€definite€term.€€Wass,€the€person€who€signed€the€letter€agreement€on€behalf€ofÏTelco,€testified€that€he€had€no€intent€to€create€a€contract€for€employment€for€a€five„year€term.€ÏThompson€testified€that,€at€the€time€he€signed€the€letter€agreement,€his€concern€was€that€he€wouldÏbe€guaranteed€forty€hours€per€week,€so€that€his€hours€could€not€be€reduced€to€part„time.€€EvenÏThompson€did€not€testify€that€he€intended€to€create€a€contract€of€employment€for€a€definite€five„yearÏterm.€€Under€all€of€these€circumstances,€we€must€conclude€that€the€evidence€preponderates€againstÏthe€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€letter€agreement€constituted€an€agreement€of€employment€for€aÏdefinite€five„year€term.€€Thompson€was€an€employee€at€will,€and€his€termination€did€not€breach€theÏagreement€between€the€parties.€€Therefore,€the€trial€courtððs€award€of€damages€to€Thompson€in€theÏamount€of€$62,235€must€be€reversed.Ìà  àThis€holding€pretermits€the€other€issues€raised€by€Telco€on€appeal.€€Ð 09€48 Ѐà  àThompson€argues€on€appeal€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€ordering€him€to€pay€into€court€theÐ ° Ðmonies€he€received€as€unemployment€compensation€benefits€and€then€decreeing€that€the€moniesÏescheated€to€the€State.€€€The€trial€courtððs€order€instructing€Thompson€to€refund€the€monies€did€notÏfind€that€the€parties€fraudulently€entered€into€the€termination€letter€in€an€effort€to€defraud€the€State,Ïbut€stated€that€ð ða€violation€of€T.C.A.€ðð€50„7„709€may€have€occurred.ðð€€€After€the€TennesseeÏDepartment€of€Employment€Security€refused€to€accept€the€funds€from€Thompson,€the€trial€courtÏgranted€Thompson€permission€to€pay€the€funds€to€the€clerk€of€the€court.€€When€the€trial€court€decreedÏthat€the€funds€escheated€to€the€State,€it€ordered€the€clerk€to€furnish€appropriate€notice€to€the€StateÏTreasurer€in€accordance€with€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€31„6„114.ñâñ׃ ×ñâññâñ׃×ñâñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ° Ðà  àWe€must€conclude€that€the€trial€court€implicitly€found€that€the€parties€had€entered€into€anÏagreement€to€defraud€the€State,€based€on€the€partiesðð€testimony€that€Thompson€was€not€terminatedÏfor€ð ðlack€of€work.ðð€€However,€even€if€ð ðlack€of€workðð€was€not€the€true€reason€for€ThompsonððsÏtermination,€there€was€no€finding€by€the€trial€court€that€Thompson€was€terminated€for€a€reason€thatÏwould€disqualify€him€from€receiving€unemployment€œbenefits.€€Unless€Thompson€would€not€haveÏreceived€unemployment€compensation€benefits€but€for€the€statement€that€he€was€terminated€for€ð ðlackÏof€work,ðð€there€can€be€no€finding€that€he€fraudulently€received€the€benefits.€€ñÙññ×ñ€€ñ×ñ€€ñÙñFrom€the€record,€itÏappears€that€the€reasons€for€Thompsonððs€discharge€were€excessive€tardiness,€repeated€violation€ofÏthe€company€rule€against€taking€a€break€when€an€employee€is€tardy,€and€unsatisfactory€jobÏâ âperformance€by€failing€to€adapt€to€changes€in€the€company€and€failure€to€work€sufficient€hours.Ð p&À!$ Ðà  àThe€disqualifications€for€receiving€unemployment€compensation€benefits€include,€amongÏâ âother€reasons,€ð ðmisconduct€connected€with€[the]€claimantððs€work€.€.€.€.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€€ðð50„7„303€Ï(Supp.€1998).€€The€burden€of€proving€disqualification€for€benefits€is€on€the€employer.€€ò òòòSimmons€v.Ð pÀ ÐCulpepperó óóó,€937€S.W.2d€938,€945€(Tenn.€App.€1996).ñäñ€€ñäññãñ€ñãñò òñãñ[PLEASE€SHEPARDIZE€THIS€CASE]ñãñó óñåñ€ñåñUnder€some€circumstances,€actions€such€asÐ P   Ðexcessive€tardiness,€repeated€violations€of€company€rules€and€failure€to€work€sufficient€hours€mayÏamount€to€ð ðmisconductðð€under€the€statute€if€ð ðthe€whole€of€the€facts€reveal€that€ñÚñ[ñÚñtheñÛñ]ñÛññÜñseñÜñ€actions€exhibitÏa€wanton,€careless,€and€negligent€disregard€for€the€interest€ofðð€the€employer.€€ò òòòId.ó óóóÐ ð@  Ðà  àIn€this€case,€however,€Thompsonððs€actions,€while€warranting€discharge,€do€not€amount€to€theÏtype€of€misconduct€that€would€disqualify€him€from€receiving€unemployment€compensation€benefits.€ÏConsequently,€since€Thompson€would€not€have€been€disqualified€from€receiving€unemploymentÏcompensation€benefits€even€if€he€had€not€been€given€the€letter€stating€that€he€was€terminated€forÏð ðlack€of€work,ðð€there€can€be€no€finding€that€he€fraudulently€received€the€benefits.€€On€this€basis,€weÏconclude€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€requiring€Thompson€to€pay€the€monies€into€court€and€thenÏordering€the€funds€escheated€to€the€State.€€We€do€not€reach€the€issue€of€whether€the€trial€court€hadÏauthority€òòsua€sponteóó€to€take€these€actions€regarding€the€unemployment€compensation€benefits.€€SinceÐ ð@ Ðthe€State€is€not€a€party€to€this€appeal€we€do€not€order€the€State€to€repay€the€funds€to€Thompson;Ïhowever,€nothing€in€this€Opinion€precludes€Thompson€from€filing€an€action€against€the€State€toÏrecover€the€monies.€€All€other€issues€raised€on€appeal€are€pretermitted.€Ìà  àIn€sum,€we€find€that€the€letter€agreement€lacks€language€expressly€guaranteeing€a€definiteÏterm€of€employment,€and€that€consequently€Thompson€was€an€employee€at€will.€€Therefore,€the€trialÏcourtððs€award€of€damages€for€breach€of€contract€is€reversed.€€In€addition,€the€trial€court€erred€inÏordering€Thompson€to€pay€into€court€the€unemployment€compensation€benefits€and€in€ordering€thatÏthe€unemployment€compensation€benefits€be€escheated€to€the€State.€€€ÌñáñÐ  Ð/ +. Ðñáñà  àThe€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€reversed,€and€the€cause€is€remanded€for€further€proceedingsÏconsistent€with€this€Opinion.€€Costs€are€taxed€to€Appellee,€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÏnecessary.ÌÌÓÓÔ‡X³eXXXÌÒÔà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð 0 € Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àò òóóHOLLY€KIRBY€LILLARD,€J.Ð  l  Ðó óà  àò òÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ¸  ÐóóBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€J.Ð ¤ô  ÐÌÌòò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÐ h¸ ÐWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€J.ó óÔ#†XÌÒXXX³e;†#Ô