An Examination of the Status of Employment-at-will in the State of Michigan

[摘要] The common law doctrine of employment-at-will has been in existence for centuries. Under this doctrine, the employer has been granted the privilege of controlling the employment practices as far as hiring and firing. Certain groups of employees have protection from unfair dismissal. These groups consist mainly of government employees, tenured employees, and those protected from discrimination by law. The largest number of employees in the American workforce are presently without any protection from unfair dismissal. The problem that this creates is one in which approximately 70% of the American workforce has no job security— they can be fired indiscriminately without any recourse to statutory appeal. In the absence of statutory protection, court cases are expensive and lengthy prohibiting an average worker from initiating an appeal. The author has chosen to examine the current status of employment-at-will in the State of Michigan. The examination has included a review of the literature; an investigation of previously unsuccessful legislation; and interviews with scholars, lawyers, business groups, and government leaders addressing the issues surrounding employment-at-will.

[发布机构] University of Michigan

[效力级别] job security

[关键词] employment-at-will;job security;unfair dismissal;legislation;Public Administration