Kaia was heading a high-profile research team getting ready to conclude some very important testing of a new vaccine. Kaia got called to serve on jury duty while the testing was in its end phases, and though she realized the timing was bad, she felt it her civic duty to serve. The tests were delayed, and her company’s stock plummeted. She was subsequently fired. Does Kaia have a case for wrongful discharge? No. As a key player on such an important project, Kaia should have made up an excuse to the courts to get out of jury duty. No. As an at-will employee, Kaia can be fired for any reason. Kaia failed to prioritize her work duties over her civic duties. No. Workers in the medical research field take an oath to commit fully to their profession under all circumstances and thus are not protected by wrongful discharge laws. Yes. Kaia’s firing was wrongful, as she was exercising her legal right to serve on a jury, and she is owed damages.
