At-Will Employment in Oregon
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Oregon limits at-will termination when it violates public policy or employment contracts.
How Oregon treats At-Will Employment
Oregon Revised Statutes § 653.601 protects employees from retaliation for jury duty, and the state recognizes wrongful discharge claims when termination violates public policy. Oregon courts have found public policy exceptions for refusing illegal acts, reporting safety violations, and exercising legal rights. Written employment contracts can also override at-will status if they specify cause requirements or notice periods.
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 Oregon.