Elmarie Dixon v. W.W. Grainger

Plaintiff brought suit against defendant W. W. Grainger, Inc., alleging breach of employment contract, race and sex discrimination,
retaliatory discharge, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Prior to trial, Grainger was granted partial summary
Disposition on all but the contract and discrimination claims. However, on December 17, 1985, following a three-day jury trial,
Wayne Circuit Judge Michael L. Stacey granted a directed verdict in Grainger's favor on those claims. Plaintiff now appeals
as of right, raising four issues. We reverse and remand for a new trial. Defendant is a wholesale electronics distributor, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with five branches in Michigan. Plaintiff
was hired in the Detroit branch in July, 1975. Her duties included billing, invoicing, telephone sales and general office
duties. In 1978, plaintiff moved to the Troy branch when the Detroit branch was closed and its operations relocated to Troy.