I’ve been reading about at-will employment following a discussion, as I’ve never come across the concept before (and my instincts told me it’s a pro-business grift).
From what I can tell, not only do almost all U.S. states recognise this practice unless it’s agreed otherwise (source), it’s actually presumed (source&firstPage=true#:~:text=At%2DWill%20Employment-,Related%20Content,%2C%20unlawful%20discrimination%20or%20retaliation)).
I can totally understand why business adores it. What’s not to like about being able to fire somebody ‘without cause’ (e.g., asking for a raise, attending a funeral, or asking for PTO)?
The counter argument seems to be that that works both ways, but unless you’re in a privileged position to be deliberately unemployed or have a job lined up, it feels like mental gymnastics to see that as an acceptable tradeoff. In any event, if one does have a job lined up then notice periods are relatively short. (There’s obviously a benefit there if somebody is in any kind of harm.)
Am I being ignorant (it’s illegal in my country), or is this the preserve of unscrupulous employers and the privileged that it looks like from the outside.