AFTER-ACQUIRED-EVIDENCE DOCTRINE

after-acquired-evidence doctrine.Employment law. The rule that if an employer discharges an

employee  for  an  unlawful  reason  and  later  discovers  misconduct  sufficient  to  justify  a  lawful

discharge, the employee cannot win reinstatement. • The doctrine either shields the employer from

liability or limits the available relief when, after an employee has been terminated, the employer

learns for the first time that the employee engaged in  wrongdoing that would  have resulted in a

discharge anyway. McKennon v. Nashville Banner Publ’g Co., 513 U.S. 352, 115 S.Ct. 879 (1995).

[Cases: Master and Servant    37. C.J.S. Employer–Employee Relationship §§ 60, 86.] [Blacks Law 8th]