Troutt v. Carl K. Wilson Co.
The appellant, Mrs. Troutt, filed a claim for unemployment compensation which was initially approved but later reversed by the Board of Review, who found her guilty of simple misconduct. The Chancery Court of Shelby County affirmed this decision, leading to an appeal before the Tennessee Supreme Court. The core issue involved the interpretation of T.C.A. sec. 50-1324, subd. B., particularly the distinction between "simple misconduct" and "gross misconduct," a differentiation unique to Tennessee law. The Court, noting the lack of direct authority defining simple misconduct, determined it must be defined on a case-by-case basis. Based on testimony from her manager and supervisors, detailing Mrs. Troutt's problematic conduct including interrupting sales, getting angry, and repeatedly refusing instructions, the Supreme Court affirmed the finding of simple misconduct, thereby upholding the lower court's judgment.