{"id":357795,"date":"2025-04-14T15:07:53","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T20:07:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/losing-a-job\/could-i-be-fired-for-looking-for-another-job.html"},"modified":"2025-04-14T15:21:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T20:21:57","slug":"could-i-be-fired-for-looking-for-another-job","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/could-i-be-fired-for-looking-for-another-job.html","title":{"rendered":"Could I Be Fired for Looking for Another Job?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Could I Be Fired for Looking for Another Job?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, 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

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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

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Job hunting while employed can lead to termination, especially in at-will states where employment can end at any time for any reason. If your job search does not interfere with your work duties and is conducted on personal time, your risk is minimized. However, using company resources or time for job searching can be grounds for dismissal. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

During times of economic uncertainty, one job may not be enough. Or you may have reached a dead end at your current job and want something better. Maybe you need to relocate and find work in your new home. Whatever the reason may be, you need to look for a new job. But, while you look, you need to keep your present job.<\/p>\r\n

If you look for new work on company time, you probably wonder whether you can get fired for your job search. The short answer is \u201cyes,\u201d but there is a little more to it. What can you do if you need a new job but need to keep your current one?<\/p>\r\n

At-Will Employment and Termination<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Every state but Montana follows \u201cat-will\u201d employment<\/a>. In at-will states, employers and employees can end the employment relationship at any time, without notice, for any reason. So your employer can fire you for job-hunting on company time.<\/p>\r\n

An at-will employee can end their employment at any time as well. If you wish to walk off the job when you find another one, you can do that. On the other hand, neither you nor your employer will make a good impression if you do so.<\/p>\r\n

Termination \u201cnot for cause\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Most employers and employees have an employment contract <\/a>or other document that explains possible grounds for immediate termination and disciplinary action.<\/p>\r\n

Firing someone for a reason not given in the contract or without following the disciplinary steps in the handbook is \u201cnot for cause.\u201d An employee fired \u201cnot for cause\u201d can usually claim unemployment benefits.<\/p>\r\n

Termination \u201cfor cause\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

If your contract or employee handbook<\/a> states grounds for immediate termination, your employer can fire you for those reasons. In general, this covers things like:<\/p>\r\n