Does AT-WILL only go one way?

[frustrated_3]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ

After 10 years with my employer, I recently received a new employee manual, 3x the size of the one I was given when hired and complete with at-will agreement form attached for signing. I have many concerns about the content but my immediate question is:

If the employee is at-will can the employer require them to give 2 weeks notice and then stay to train their replacement? If they can fire me whenever, can't I leave whenever?

Part of the new manual states the above, we must give a certain amount of notice and then stay to train new employees. FYI, It often takes a month to hire a replacement.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[justalayman]

At will employment goes both ways unless there is a contract to the contrary.

 

[frustrated_3]

At will employment goes both ways unless there is a contract to the contrary.

Thanks for your response.

So, is there a way to address this when signing the form?

 

[Chyvan]

is there a way to address this when signing the form?

Sure, just take a black sharpie and draw a line through everything that you don't like.

 

[cbg]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ

After 10 years with my employer, I recently received a new employee manual, 3x the size of the one I was given when hired and complete with at-will agreement form attached for signing. I have many concerns about the content but my immediate question is:

If the employee is at-will can the employer require them to give 2 weeks notice and then stay to train their replacement? If they can fire me whenever, can't I leave whenever?

Part of the new manual states the above, we must give a certain amount of notice and then stay to train new employees. FYI, It often takes a month to hire a replacement.

Thanks for any insight.

There is no law the employer can invoke that will force you to work a single second longer than you wish to work. We abolished slavery in this country quite some time ago.

However, that doesn't mean that you are guaranteed to be able to leave with no repercussions whatsoever. For example, in your state a policy that an employee who failed to give two weeks notice would forfeit the payout of any earned but unused vacation time, would be quite legal.

You could leave any time you wanted. You'd simply have to decide which was more important to you; leaving when you wanted to, or the vacation payout.

 

[frustrated_3]

There is no law the employer can invoke that will force you to work a single second longer than you wish to work. We abolished slavery in this country quite some time ago.

However, that doesn't mean that you are guaranteed to be able to leave with no repercussions whatsoever. For example, in your state a policy that an employee who failed to give two weeks notice would forfeit the payout of any earned but unused vacation time, would be quite legal.

You could leave any time you wanted. You'd simply have to decide which was more important to you; leaving when you wanted to, or the vacation payout.

Makes sense. Thanks.