Are employers allowed to dismiss employees without a fair and reasonable procedure?

In Washington, employers are allowed to dismiss employees without a fair and reasonable procedure, at least in certain circumstances. Generally, Washington employers have the right to terminate an employee for any reason or for no reason at all, as long as the reason for termination is not prohibited by law. This is known as “at-will” employment. In addition, employers in Washington may be allowed to dismiss employees without a fair and reasonable procedure if their employment is highly specialized or confidential, or if they are temporary or seasonal employees. However, there are some limits on an employer’s right to terminate at-will employment. For example, employers are not allowed to terminate an employee if the reason for the termination is based on discrimination or harassment. Washington’s anti-discrimination laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of certain protected characteristics, such as race, religion, national origin, and disability. Additionally, employers are not allowed to terminate an employee in violation of public policy or any other provisions of the law. Overall, while employers in Washington may be able to dismiss an employee without a fair and reasonable procedure in certain circumstances, employers should be mindful of the limitations on the at-will doctrine. Doing so will help employers avoid potential legal issues that might arise from an unlawful termination.

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Are employers allowed to dismiss employees without a fair and reasonable procedure?

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