"there was any early retirement program in the works" at Honda. DiAmore testified that, once again, Yawnick replied that he was "unaware of anything."
On or about July 23, 1999, DiAmore was offered a position with New Piper Aircraft Co., Inc. ("Piper") in Florida. On or about August 11, 1999, DiAmore sent a letter to Piper formally accepting the offer of employment, indicating a start date of September 13,1999.
Also on August 11, 1999, DiAmore provided notice to Honda of his intent to take early retirement. However, he also wanted to extend his formal retirement date as far out as possible by using his accrued vacation time. Honda requires that employees actually work their last day prior to retirement and permits accrued vacation time to be used to extend aretirement date up to four weeks. Accordingly, in a memo to his supervisor, DiAmore requested that his retirement become effective on October 12, 1999 and that his last day of work would be October 11, 1999. Honda agreed to DiAmore's request and his second to last day of employment was Friday, September 10th. He planned to fly up from Florida to work his official last day on October 11,1999.
After July 16, 1999 and prior to the week of September 27, 1999, DiAmore testified that he made no further inquiries about an incentive program. His next inquiry was made during the week of September 27, 1999, from Florida. He called Ellen Larimer, a Honda benefits employee who was helping him process his retirement forms. DiAmore asserts that he asked