Kevin Gardner is a driver with Loomis Armored, Inc., which is a company that supplies armored truck delivery services to banks, businesses, and others requiring secure transport of funds and other valuables. Because of the safety and liability issues surrounding armored truck deliveries, Loomis has adopted a policy for all drivers that their trucks cannot be left unattended. The policy is provided in the employee handbook and the penalty for violation of the rule is stated as follows:
Violations of this rule will be grounds for termination.
While Mr. Gardner was making a scheduled stop at a bank for a pickup of funds, he noticed a woman being threatened with a knife by an obviously agitated man. Mr. Gardner left his truck unattended as he went to the aid of the woman. The woman was saved and her assailant apprehended, and Mr. Gardner was then fired by Loomis for violating the company policy of not leaving the truck unattended. Mr. Gardner filed suit for wrongful termination in violation of public policy. Discuss whether he can recover. [Gardner v Loomis Armored, Inc., 913 P.2d 377 (Wash. 1996)]