06/03/2026
In an at-will state, can I fire an employee without notice? The answer is yes. Can an employee sue you if they feel the firing was unfair? That answer is also yes!
I grew up in my HR career applying the Seven Steps of Just Cause, because I worked in government where this was part of the due process government employees are entitled to.
These steps are reasonable for treating employees like human beings. And applying even some of them in an at-will state can help protect your business from risk and help decrease the emotion associated with a negative employment action, both for you and the employee!