At-Will Employment in California
State-specific overview · Employment Law
California recognizes at-will employment but has the broadest statutory and common-law exceptions of any state.
How California treats At-Will Employment
California is an at-will employment state, but California Labor Code § 2870 and extensive case law create numerous exceptions. Employers cannot terminate for jury duty, workers' compensation claims, family and medical leave, whistleblowing, reporting labor violations, or discrimination based on protected characteristics. California also recognizes an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in employment contracts, and courts imply an obligation of good faith in terminations. Additionally, California protects employees exercising legal rights, including political activity and wage claims, making wrongful termination claims more viable than in most states.
The general definition of At-Will Employment
An employment relationship where either party can end the job at any time without cause or notice.
At-will employment is the default employment relationship in most U.S. states. It means an employer can fire an employee for any reason (or no reason) without notice, and an employee can quit for any reason without notice. However, this freedom has limits—employers cannot fire workers for illegal reasons like discrimination, retaliation, or violation of public policy.
Read the full At-Will Employment entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in California.