Is there really a law in New Jersey, that you can fire someone for any reason?

Question

I heard that you could be fired for anything, say for example, for wearing a brown shirt. The only catch is that the company who fired that person for wearing that brown shirt has to fire everyone who wears a brown shirt to work. Is that true?

I think I heard about something similar a while ago too. I heard that a man was fired for smoking. Just smoking a cigarette outside wear he was allowed by law to smoke. I guess that wold be a real life example. Anyone else hear of this?

If anyone has any helpful websites to direct me to, or anything like that; it's a definite gold star ;)

Answer 1

Almost every state in the country is at "at-will" state. Unless someone has a contract or collective bargaining agreement stipulating a process for discharge employers may terminate an employee without cause.

Most employers however have a system of progressive discipline to avoid charges of discrimination, wrongful discharge and to protect themselves from EEOC claims if the employee is in a protected class.

Answer 2

This is called 'at-will' employment, and applies in a number of states, including New Jersey. But the way you describe it is a little bit off...

For example, it is against federal law to discriminate in certain ways, and also against federal law to NOT discriminate in certain ways. You cannot fire someone because they are black. Nor can you hire a foreign employee for some jobs if a citizen will also take such a job. Written contracts that spell out exactly when a person can be fired likewise have to be honored.

I tend to think of 'at-will' employment as meaning not that you can be fired for ANY reason, but rather that you can be fired for NO reason. Neither you, nor your employer, is required to keep you working - he can fire you at any time and you can quit at any time.

But the long and the short of it is that you are pretty much right. You can be fired in New Jersey for just about anything. Link below.

Answer 3

To follow up on Jesi's good info, it is not in the best interest for employers to fire employees without cause. Most are willing to withstand small issues or concerns the longer you have worked there. By maintaining your value and reducing any potential risk to the company, you decrease the odds that you will ever be fired for a reason that is trivial, such as your example.
If someone is looking for a permanent job, try moving to France. Young people in France, in the near past, protested when the government tried to allow employers to have the right to fire employees within the first two years of working. The government reversed and withdrew the law.
BTW, if you know someone that goes to France, ask them how hard it was to get in and then get a job.

Answer 4

Yes, it's called At Will Employment. It's legal in most, if not all, states.
The only dismissal that's prohibited is one based on discrimination under title VII - race, age, religion, disability.

Answer 5

In Pa., someone can be fired, no reason required.
Wouldn't surprise me if New Jersey was the same.

Answer 6

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