Iowa Employment At Will
May 2009
With the current economic environment, employers are still downsizing in many instances. Iowa recognizes the concept of an employee being “at will.” The concept of employment at will means that an employee (assuming the employee does not have an employment contract with the employer) can quit or be fired at any time for any non-discriminatory reason. If a former employee challenges the termination, the employer will need to clearly explain the non-discriminatory/business-related reason why the employee was terminated. An employer will rely on its documentation demonstrating the non-discriminatory reason for the termination.
Employers need to be more diligent than ever to thoroughly document performance problems that employees have. Even though documentation takes time, it will pay off if the ex-employee challenges the termination.
If you would like to discuss the subject matter of this article, or any other employment-related issue, please feel free to contact WS Shareholder and Senior Attorney Joseph H. Laverty at (563) 333-9102, or email him at jolaverty@wesselssherman.com.
