Gehring v. Case Corp‪.‬

Case Corporation (formerly J.I. Case Corp.) is one of the worlds leading producers of construction and agricultural machinery. Selling in a global market, Case has been under intense competitive pressure, and its older facilities have not flourished. The plant in Wausau, Wisconsin, had been shrinking steadily when in June 1991 management told Ray Watson, the Controller at Wausau, that he would have to make do with two cost accountants rather than five. Dale Gehring was among the three Watson picked to let go. Gehring had been a supervisor until 1988, when an earlier reduction in force returned him to a line position. Watson believed that Gehring had not adjusted well and was reluctant to do the drudge work of ordinary cost accountancy. Gehring believes that his age (52 at the time) rather than his attitude accounts for the decision, but the jury believed Watsons explanation and returned a verdict for Case. Gehring asks us to award him another trial. (The Wausau plant closed in October 1993, but Gehring could recover for wages lost between June 1991 and October 1993 if his age led to the earlier discharge.)