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Also known as: employment at will, at-will doctrine

At-Will Employment

ConceptualOperationsLegal

Definition

At-Will Employment: At-will employment is a doctrine where either employer or employee can terminate the relationship at any time, for any legal reason, without advance notice. Standard in most US states, at-will employment provides flexibility but also creates uncertainty. Exceptions exist for discriminatory termination and certain contractual arrangements.

Example Usage

“While we're at-will, we still follow a clear performance management process before termination to ensure fairness and reduce legal risk.”

Common Misconceptions

At-will means fire anyone anytime. Protected classes and retaliation laws still apply; document performance issues.
At-will is universal. Some states and countries have different rules; international hires may have more protections.
No process needed for termination. Even at-will employers should have clear policies and documentation.

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