The dentist-employer meets with the dental hygienist-employee at the end of the workday; the dentist informs the dental hygienist that his employment is terminated effective immediately, requests the hygienist's office keys, and states that a final paycheck will be mailed to him directly. Assuming that the employer's actions are legal, which of the following most accurately describes this situation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At-will employees can be terminated without notice or without being given a reason for the termination. A 2-week notice is not mandated by law in every jurisdiction; an employment contract may require notice, but not for at-will employees. In the question posed, there is no indication of a contractual relationship between the employer and employee. It is not clear from the scenario whether any rights were violated; it appears the dental hygienist is an at-will employee. In an at-will employment situation, the employer is allowed to terminate an employee without notice.

The Dentist-Employer Meets with the Dental Hygienist-Employee at the End