US · employmentSources checked
Is employment at-will in California?
By default, yes. Under section 2922 of California's Labor Code, an employment having no specified term may be terminated at the will of either party on notice to the other. The same section states that employment for a specified term means employment for a period greater than one month.
Sources
- California Labor Code, section 2922 (Termination of Employment)leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (California Legislative Information) · checked 17 August 2026 · Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1607.
Related questions
- What counts as a specified term?
- Section 2922 states that employment for a specified term means employment for a period greater than one month.
- Does at-will mean no notice is needed?
- Section 2922 frames termination at will as being on notice to the other party, so the section itself refers to notice.
What this answer does not cover
- This is the default rule only. It does not address the many grounds on which a particular termination can still be unlawful.
- Other states set their own rules, which this page does not cover.
