Are employers allowed to fire employees at will?

In Virginia, employers are generally allowed to fire employees at will, meaning that employers can terminate employees without cause or prior notice. The exception to this rule is if the employee is working under an employment contract, which may be either written or oral. In this case, the contract could specify that the employee can only be terminated for cause, and in this situation, the employer must comply with the terms of the contract. In addition, Virginia law prohibits employers from terminating employees under certain circumstances that could be considered discriminatory or retaliatory. This could include firing an employee because of age, race, gender, veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. Virginia also has a “Whistle-blower” law that prohibits employers from terminating employees for reporting illegal or unethical activities by the employer, or participating in official proceedings against the employer. In summary, Virginia employers are generally allowed to terminate employees at will, unless the employee is working under a contract or the termination is considered discriminatory or retaliatory. Employers should ensure they are in compliance with all applicable laws to avoid any potential liability.

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Are employers allowed to fire employees at will?

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