At Will Employment

The concept of At Will Employment has been around for over 100 years.  At-will employment is based on an employment practice that allows either the employer or employee to terminate the relationship at any time.  Interestingly, if the employee feels, and a court or arbitrator decide, that they were terminated for a specific reason, then the company may need to demonstrate "just cause."

 Employers are prohibited from terminating an employee at-will in the following situations:

• Employees involved in filing a Workers Compensation claim, attending jury duty or on military leave, or when an employee refuses to violate a law.
• If managers and supervisors have a reason, or "cause," for terminating an employee, they should use that approach instead of relying on the "at-will" doctrine.