At-will employment

Definition

Employment either side can end at any time, for any lawful reason.

Why It Matters

It is the default in most states and it cuts both ways: the staff a buyer is counting on can leave the week after closing, and that is the risk worth planning for rather than the freedom to dismiss. Two things quietly override it, and diligence should find both: a written employment agreement, and a handbook or offer letter promising a process. Montana is the standing exception, where a probation period converts to good-cause protection.

In numbers: A business whose two licensed technicians are at-will and unbonded can lose 60% of its billable capacity with two weeks' notice, which is why retention money at closing is often worth more than a price concession.