Wilson v. Monarch Paper Co.

Richard Wilson (plaintiff), a highly regarded executive who rose to Vice President at Monarch Paper Co. (defendant), was targeted by younger leadership who wanted him gone. His superiors refused to speak to him, stripped his duties, and eventually offered him only three options: termination with severance, a distant sales job at half pay, or a warehouse job. He took what he thought was a warehouse manager role but was given an entry-level position, spending most of his time on menial labor like sweeping and cleaning the cafeteria, despite his degree and 30 years of experience. His supervisor harassed him and posted derogatory age-based statements. Wilson developed severe depression requiring hospitalization and electroshock therapy. A jury found the defendants liable for age discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED); the defendants appealed.

Whether workplace conduct supports liability for intentional infliction of emotional distress where it consists of purposeful, systematic, and severe humiliation.