Employment-at-Will: guidelines for health care managers

Employment-at-will is a doctrine that allows an employee or employer to terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason. This doctrine has eroded over time with the enactment of federal legislation that gives workers job protection. Moreover, various states recognize 3 major exceptions to the doctrine. This article examines the historical development of employment-at-will, discusses the pros and cons of at-will employment, describes the exceptions to the doctrine, and discusses at-will employment issues in the health care industry.