At-Will Employment in New Jersey
State-specific overview · Employment Law
New Jersey recognizes public policy exceptions and implied covenants, limiting pure at-will employment.
How New Jersey treats At-Will Employment
New Jersey courts have established that employees cannot be fired in violation of public policy, such as for reporting illegal activity or serving on jury duty. The state also recognizes an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in employment contracts. These exceptions significantly limit at-will employment, though New Jersey has not adopted a blanket good-cause requirement like Montana or Nevada.
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 New Jersey.