Employment at will is a legal doctrine (this is not legal advice) that allows employers to terminate employees at any time or for any reason or for no reason at all, in the absence of a contract, and subject to legal restrictions (race, gender, age disability, etc.).
Employers like this doctrine because it gives them lots of power and flexibility.
Employers forget the doctrine cuts both ways, employees can quit at any time or for any reason or for no reason at all. The "Great Resignation" has hurt many employers, some deservedly so.
Employers may try to bind employees, say with a requirement for two weeks notice in order to receive accrued vacation, but this is not an absolute.
(As usual, employers must be versed in both federal and state employment law, and have a qualified lawyer on speed dial).
Treating employees like humans, and not cattle, is the place to start. Poor management and poor supervision are ultimately very expensive.
More to follow.
Turns out IRS legally treats PTO as a "gift" such that it can be clawed back by employer (it happened to me)
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago I was getting ready to accept a job with new employer and submitted 30 day notice- going by the book right?
Nope. Company has put policy in place that seized employees PTO without compensation when they submitted notice.