May 27, 2016
Understanding Your Rights in "At-Will" Employment
You may have heard or seen the term “at-will employment” and not fully understood what it means. You’re not alone. Many people are unaware of the type of employment they have even after reading an employee handbook or signing a contract for at the time of a job offer. Lucky for you, we’re going to explain what “at-will employment” entails so you can be better prepared in the event your job is terminated or you’re temporarily laid off.
What Exactly Does “At-Will” Mean?
“At-will employment” is exactly what it sounds like. It means that your employer has the right to terminate your employment with or without notice at any time and for any reason. That means if he or she is making budget cuts or doesn’t like something you’ve said or stand for, you may be out of a job. That is, of course, within reason because your employer must still take into account employee rights and labor laws.
When to Seek Legal Help
You cannot be legally fired because of your race, religion, gender or sexual orientation thanks to non-discrimination laws even if you have “at-will employment”. If you feel as if you were unlawfully let go from your place of employment because of one of these factors, it’s time to get a wrongful termination lawyer. They’ll listen to the details of your situation and determine if there’s enough evidence to file a case against your employer for unlawfully using “at-will employment” to fire you.
If your lawyer can prove that you were unlawfully terminated under the guise of “at-will employment” when it really is discrimination, you’re entitled to financial compensation. The court will determine how much of a settlement you receive. You won’t necessarily get your job back but you’ll get some of the lost wages you had as a result of your termination.