{"id":357788,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/losing-a-job\/at-will-employment-and-wrongful-termination.html"},"modified":"2023-12-09T23:39:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T04:39:05","slug":"at-will-employment-and-wrongful-termination","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/at-will-employment-and-wrongful-termination.html","title":{"rendered":"At-Will Employment and Wrongful Termination"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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At-Will Employment and Wrongful Termination<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When people get fired<\/a>, they assume they can sue their employer for wrongful termination<\/a>. They don’t realize that they’re an at-will employee. You and your employer can end the employment relationship anytime and for any reason.<\/p>\r\n

Generally, an at-will employment<\/a> relationship means that either party can end the relationship without prior notice and for any reason (or no reason) at all. All U.S. states are at-will employment states except Montana.<\/p>\r\n

At-will employment gives employers free rein to fire employees. However, the wrongful termination exception to at-will employment gives employees some protection.<\/p>\r\n

This article will discuss what it means to be an at-will employee. It will also explain the various exceptions to the at-will relationship rule. Finally, we will briefly describe your options should your employer fire you in bad faith<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

What Does It Mean To Be an At-Will Employee?<\/h2>\r\n

Being an at-will employee means you and your employer can terminate the employment relationship. You can quit anytime if you are no longer happy at your current job. Your employer cannot penalize you for doing this unless a contract<\/a> or collective bargaining agreement<\/a> exists.<\/p>\r\n

Your employer can fire you at any time. Depending on the laws in your state, they may have to provide a just cause<\/a> for your termination. For example, if your manager isn’t happy with your performance, they can fire you. Sometimes, an employer gives no reason other than that you and the company should part ways.<\/p>\r\n

Knowing that your company can terminate employees willy-nilly can be highly frustrating. However, you do have an equal right to quit whenever you want.<\/p>\r\n

What Rights Does an At-Will Employment Relationship Offer Workers?<\/h2>\r\n

While it is true that your employer can fire you for almost any reason, you do have some rights as an at-will employee. Most of these are available to you through federal law.<\/p>\r\n

Some of the rights at-will employees have include:<\/p>\r\n