In an "at will" employment state, employers can fire someone quicker

[raccoon]

than they can pick up the phone and order a pizza.

In a thread yesterday, some DUers seemed aghast that Joyce Meyer Ministries could fire someone for getting a divorce.

I don’t know what state that was in, but I do know that in an "at will" employment state, employers can fire someone for ANY reason, or for NO reason.

And unless you can prove some sort of discrimination, you're screwn.

[ejpoeta]

1. yes, i was one who was surprised. I had heard the term before,

but didn't realize what it meant, i guess.

[secondwind]

2. they can fire for NO reason, but they can't fire for FALSE reason.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. They don't have to give a reason. nt

[nxylas]

5. True, but you need a lawyer in defamation of character cases

And most people who have just lost their jobs can't afford one. I don't think there's a government agency that handles cases where someone is falsely accused of, say, stealing from the cash register (the most common false reason I hear for someone getting fired).

[nxylas]

4. Yep, I have to tell people that every day

I work for a fair employment practices agency in South Carolina, and people are always calling in to protest "unfair termination". The most painful part of my job is having to explain the difference between unfair and unlawful termination, and how few exceptions to the "at will" rule there are. It's not just discrimination (though those are the only laws we enforce where I work), but there are not many: retaliation for opposing an unlawful employment practice; termination for exercising legal rights such as filing Worker's Comp or taking FMLA leave, or a mandatory duty such as jury duty; and violation of an implied contract are the only exceptions I know about other than those enforced by our agency.

[LiberalFighter]

6. Yep... in an at-will employment state an employee as few rights.

Unless there is an employee handbook that spells out reasons that an employee can be fired. Or steps that will be followed before the employee is fired the employee walks a tightrope.

While a union provides a contract that provides more protection to the employee.

[Hugabear]

7. I don't think employee handbooks mean diddly-squat in "at-will" states

Those handbooks might spell out reasons why you can be fired, but they're not all-inclusive. In a "right-to-work" state like Florida, an employer can just decide that he doesn't like you anymore, and toss you on your ass without even a word.

[luckyleftyme2]

8. at will

doesn't it mean the employer needs no reason to let you go! and usually means no warning!
at least that is what is practice in convenient stores ,pizza parlors etc in New England!
BY THE SAME TOKEN YOU CAN LEAVE WITHOUT NOTICE!

[abluelady]

9. If You Give A Reason

You have to provide documentation. A reason can be disputed. Therefore, you fire for no reason. It is definitely true in North Carolina.

[we can do it]

10. same here in Ohio-

[raccoon]

11. Kind of surprises me, since historically OH has/had lots of union workers.

(Or so I've always thought.)