In the United States, most employees work under an agreement of 'at will', meaning that an employer can terminate an employee at any time and for any reason, except for an illegal one, without incurring legal liability. Similarly, an employee is free to leave their job at any time for any reason or without it, without facing any adverse legal consequences. So yes, a U. S.
employer can fire one of their workers without notice if they so choose. U. workers are free to resign without notice, and similarly, U. employers can rescind a position without notice.
It is legal for an employer to fire an employee at will for no reason or for an arbitrary or irrational reason. This means that an employee can be fired because a manager harbors personal animosity against the employee or because the employee is being replaced by an apparently less qualified candidate selected by the 'new regime'. Although this may seem unfair and bad business practice, it probably won't reach the level of 'illegal'. In this article, I discuss frequently asked questions about an employee or employer who terminates an employment relationship without notice or cause.
If you believe that your employer unfairly fired you or retaliated against you, contact Orange County employment law attorney Yashdeep 'Jesse Singh' to schedule a free consultation. Many employers have adopted a policy of providing no information other than the employment dates of former employees. On-the-will employment provides flexibility for both parties to end employment when it becomes unsustainable. In general, the employment contract also specifies that the employer must give 30 to 60 days notice before the termination takes effect.
If there is no contract between the employer and the employee, the employer does not need a 'cause' to fire the employee, just as the employee does not need a 'cause' to leave her job. Leaving on short notice could jeopardize future employment if the previous employer is listed as a reference and then contacted. If you have any other questions about employing a worker in the U. S., feel free to contact us here.
