Abstract
The United States has lost more than 8 million jobs since the recession starting in 2008. This level of job loss and corresponding unemployment issignificantly greater than what has occurred in other developed countries.Furthermore, reviewing swings in the unemployment rate in the developedcountries shows the United States has exaggerated unemployment swingsbetween times of prosperity and economic malaise compared to other developed nations. The doctrine of employment-at-will is explored as one ofthe causal forces in the differences between the United States and other compared economies wherein either the employer or the employee has theright to terminate an employment relationship at any time, for any reason orno reason. The “Employment at Will” doctrine is presented with an historical context. Limitations and constraints are presented influencing thefrequency of its use domestically including ethical considerations. Suggestions for Human Resource Managers that deal with employmentterminations are also offered. With the recession technically over (NationalBureau of Economic Research, 2010), it is time to provide some insight intowhy job losses occurred at such a high rate in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Small, Gina B.; Gunderson, David E.; and Capozzoli, Ernest A.
(2012)
"The Role of Employment At-Will on Job Loss and Unemployment in the United States,"
Journal of Business, Industry, and Economics: Vol. 17, Article 4.
Available at:
https://roar.una.edu/jobie/vol17/iss1/4