Put Your Rights in Writing

Do you have a "not a contract of employment" and "employment-at-will" disclaimer in your employee handbook?

If not, you're running the risk that an employee will convince a jury that your handbook is an employment contract...and that you can terminate employees only for cause.

Assuming you want to be an "at-will" employer, you want to preserve your right to hire and terminate employees for any legal reason or for no reason at all. (Within the limits, of course, of numerous laws and court rulings that already bind your hands.) And what employer would not want to preserve this right.

So assert your "at-will" right in your handbook. (And also on your job application form.)

And don't hide the disclaimer. Print it in large type, in a box, first thing in your handbook.

Your lawyer can write you flowery, legal language. But be sure the disclaimer says:

1. That the handbook is not an employment contract,

2. That the employer and the employee have the right to terminate employment at any time, with or without advance notice, and with or without cause, and

3. That the employer can unilaterally end or alter any policy.

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