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

An at-will and a contract employee are two common types of employment in Massachusetts. At-will employment is an agreement between an employer and an employee where either party can end the employment relationship at any time, without notice, for any reason. An employer typically cannot terminate an at-will employee for illegal reasons, such as race or age discrimination. A contract employee, however, is an employee that works for an employer under a written or verbal agreement that outlines the terms of the job, including job duties, hours, salary, benefits, and the length of the employment. Contract employees are protected from termination due to their contract, and employers cannot terminate them unless they breach the agreement in some way, such as by not performing their job duties as outlined in the contract. In summary, at-will employment means that either the employer or employee can terminate the relationship at any time with no notice or reason given. Meanwhile, a contract employee is protected by the agreement they have with their employer and can only be terminated if that contract is somehow breached.

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

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