Are employers allowed to fire employees at will?

In California, employers are not allowed to fire employees at will. California is an at-will employment state, meaning that employers can terminate employees for any reason that is not illegal. However, employers must still follow certain laws when firing an employee. Wrongful termination occurs when an employer terminates an employee in violation of an employment agreement or a state or federal law. Employers are prohibited from terminating an employee based on certain protected characteristics, such as age, race, gender, or disability. Employers must also follow certain warnings, such as giving a written warning or providing an explanation of why the termination is occurring. Employers must also have a valid basis for the termination, such as an employee failing to perform their job duties. Moreover, California employers cannot terminate employees for engaging in protected activities, such as filing a wage claim, taking a leave of absence, or reporting a health or safety issue. Being terminated for these activities is deemed wrongful termination, and the employee may be entitled to compensation. Finally, employers must ensure that their policies do not lead to discrimination or unfair practices. An employer cannot fire employees in a manner that results in a disparate impact on a particular protected group. In summary, employers may not terminate employees in violation of an employment agreement or state or federal laws. If employers do so, the employee may be able to make a claim for wrongful termination.

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Are employers allowed to fire employees at will?

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