When you are applying for jobs, you may have come across a phrase called employed at will.
This phrase can confuse or perplex an employee.
Also, job applicants get even more troubled when they come to know the actual meaning of it.
The true meaning of the phrase is that an employer has the liberty to fire an employee whenever he wants.
At the time of firing, the employer does not have to state reason for doing so.
Also, when you have agreed to this term of employment, then you will have limited or no legal rights to oppose the termination.
If you have been employed at will and you take a break for a week, for example, then you have given your employer a good chance to terminate you.
Only in the state of Montana this rule is not allowed, whereas in all other states this rule can be allowed through the legal system.
The way the law mentions it is that employees can choose an at will employment if they wish to.
Also, in case an employer suggests that you can be fired only for certain reasons, it pretty much means that they can fire you at will.
Some employment agreements clearly state what the grounds for termination are, while most agreements never include it.
In the frenzy of getting the job, you just sign the dotted line without thinking about such possibilities.
When it comes to employment agreement, every single fact has to be mentioned in such a way that you are clear about the repercussions.
Not mentioning does not mean the clause is non existent.
You will need to clarify in that case.