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.]
