Week $16$: At$-$Will Employment

The vast majority of states, including California, presume that employment relationships are "employment at will". Employment at will allows either party, the employer or employee, to terminate the relationship at any time for any lawful reason, unless specified otherwise under contract. Employers don't need a good reason to fire an at$-$will employee, but can't use an unlawful reason. Use what you know and what you have learned in Chapter $20$ to answer the following question:

Discussion: As a current or future business owner, under what circumstances might you consider consulting with an attorney specializing in employment law before terminating an employee?

Consider:

Employee misconduct

Discrimination or retaliation claims

Whistleblower concerns

Contracts and agreements

Labor laws

Protected leave and accommodations

Mass layoffs

Employee complaints

Employer reputation