“At Will” employment means that either the company or the worker can end the employee/employer relationship at ANY time and for ANY reason as long at it’s not an illegal reason.”

Unless it is explicitly stated in a contract that the employee can only be terminated for “good cause”, that employee can be let go for any reason that is not illegal.  Not all contracts have “good cause” provisions, so it is possible to have a contract and still be an “at will” employee.  

“At will” employment pretty much leaves you to the mercy of your employer unless you know your legal rights in the workplace and how to assert them.

It doesn’t matter if you are a model employee, a team player respected by all, received glowing reviews and bonuses and help little old ladies cross the street.  All that matters is whether you and your employer have an “at will” relationship.  If you do, then the only question is: “Did the company terminate you for an illegal reason?”

Nothing else matters.  The quality of your work doesn’t matter.  The amount of time you loyally served the company doesn’t matter. How badly you need your job to support your family doesn’t  matter.  “At will” means that nothing matters except that your employer did not terminate you for an illegal reason.

If employment “at will” is hard to accept and feels counter intuitive, then congratulations, you are beginning to understand it!  Most people feel that no one should get terminated from their job unless there is no longer enough work to do, or because the employee is doing a poor job.  That strikes most people as fair.  But employment law is not concerned with being “fair.”

Is there a way to protect yourself and your job?   You can get fair treatment at work despite employment “at will”. 

Click here to get the facts and legally protected yourself without losing your job or health insurance.