The Concept of Employment by Will - Assignment Example

“The employment-at-will doctrine avows that, when an employee does not have a written employment contract and the term of employment is of indefinite duration, the employer can terminate the employee for a good cause, bad cause, or no cause at all”. (Charles J. Muhl) At-will employment is a doctrine of American law that defines an employment relationship in which either party can break the relationship with no liability.

The employer is free to discharge individuals "for even no cause at all," and the employee is equally free to quit. “The United States is the only major industrial power that maintains a general employment-at-will rule.” At will, employment gives the freedom for employees to quit his job any time if he is not at all satisfied with it. In most of the other types of employment contracts, the employees are forced to complete a probation period and thereafter a compulsory 3 to 5 years services for the organization.

If the employee gets another better employment within this period, he is not able to quit the organization because of his signed contract. In some cases, the employees after joining the organization may find it difficult to adjust to the working conditions. The at-will employment contract provides the freedom of quitting the job without having any other commitment to the organization. At-will employment helps employers also. In case if the employer feels that the employee is not fit for the positions he is free to cease the contract.

There is no need for him to keep an improper employee for a longer period because of the labor contract. “If you are employed at will, your employer does not need good cause to fire you.