Chapter 5: Termination

employment at will

allows either the employer or the employee to terminate the relationship upon giving proper notice

termination

is the discharge of an employee by an employer with or without cause

retaliatory discharge

occurs when an employee suffers adverse employment consequences after filing a claim of discrimination or appearing as a witness in a discrimination investigation

breach of contract

occurs when the employee's reasonable expectations under the contract have not been fulfilled

wrongful discharge

occurs when the employer's motivation for termination is discriminatory

constructive discharge

occurs, as opposed to outright termination, when an employer interferes with an employer's ability to perform his/her work and/or makes the work environment so intolerable that the employee may be forced to resign

employment handbook

provides a reference guide for employees concerning the employer's policies