What is the difference between an at-will and a contract employee?

At-will and contract employees are two different types of employment relationships in California. An at-will employee is someone who is employed without a written contract, so the employer can terminate them at any time and for any reason, as long as it is not discriminatory or retaliatory. This means that the employer can decide how long the employee works, what they will be paid, and what duties they will perform. Contract employees, on the other hand, are employed with a written agreement between the employee and the employer which outlines the duties, pay, and length of employment. In California, contract employees cannot be terminated by the employer unless they violate the terms of the contract or the termination is provided for in the contract. Contract employees also tend to have higher levels of job security, since their contract provides assurances that they will not be terminated without cause. In summary, at-will employment is an employment relationship without a contract, while contract employment is an agreement between the employee and the employer which outlines the terms of the employment. At-will employment allows the employer to terminate the employee at any time, while contract employees cannot be terminated unless they violate the terms of their contract.

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