Just cause versus at will employer

[glhmedic]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

What is the diference between an "at will" employer and a "just cause" employer? How do you tell the difference? Does this apply to government bodies? Just like to know.

 

[Beth3]

"At will" is a doctrine recognized in 49 of the 50 States which means either party can end the employment relationship at any time for any reason. (The employer may not terminate someone for a specifically prohibited reason however, such as firing someone because of their race or gender.)

Just cause means different things in different venues but in the context in which you're asking, it means the employer and employee have entered into a contractual employment agreement (whether via a CBA, an individual employment contract, etc.), that specifies the employee will only be terminated for "just cause." For that to have any clear meaning however, what constitutes just cause needs to be clearly defined in the agreement - and that will vary considerably in each agreement/contract.