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Simple English definitions for legal terms
hiring at will
Read a random definition: Alternative dispute resolution - State statutes
A quick definition of hiring at will:
Hiring at will is a type of employment where there is no contract between the employer and employee. This means that either the employer or employee can end the employment at any time, without giving a reason. It became popular in the mid-19th century when the employment relationship changed from one of status to one of contract. This type of employment does not provide job security for the employee, and the employer can fire them without any legal consequences.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Hiring at will is a type of employment where there is no contract between the employer and employee, and either party can terminate the employment at any time without any reason.
Example: A company hires a new employee without any written contract. The employee works for a few months, but the company decides to terminate their employment without giving any reason. The employee has no legal recourse because they were hired at will.
This example illustrates how hiring at will works. Without a contract, the employer has the right to terminate the employment at any time, and the employee has no legal protection against it.
Other examples of employment:
- Casual employment: Work that is occasional, irregular, or for a short time.
- Permanent employment: Work that, under a contract, is to continue indefinitely until either party wishes to terminate it for some legitimate reason.
- Seasonal employment: An occupation possible only during limited parts of the year, such as a summer-camp counselor, a baseball-park vendor, or a shopping-mall Santa.
These examples show different types of employment arrangements that exist, each with their own set of rules and regulations.