Appreciate Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Appreciate, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Appreciate?

n. in common law jurisdictions of the United States, employment contracts for temporary employment are held to be “at will” of the employer meaning they can dismiss the employee anytime for any reason. In contrast some jurisdictions (England, Canada, etc.) require a reasonable notice or a cause before the employee can be fired.

History and Meaning of At Will Employment

At-will employment is a common law doctrine that applies to employment contracts in the United States. The doctrine states that an employer can dismiss an employee at any time and for any reason, as long as the reason is not illegal or in violation of an employment contract. The employee, in turn, is free to leave the job at any time, for any reason.

The concept of at-will employment originated in the United States in the late 19th century as a way for employers to maintain control over their workforces. Prior to the widespread adoption of at-will employment, most employment relationships in the United States were based on individual contracts that often included specific terms and conditions.

However, as the U.S. economy grew and industrialization increased, employers began to seek a more flexible workforce. Thus, at-will employment was adopted as a way to give employers maximum flexibility in terms of workforce management.

Examples of At Will Employment

  1. Janet was fired from her job at a retail store because the manager didn't like her. Since she was an at-will employee, the company didn't need to provide a reason for her termination.

  2. Tom is an at-will employee, but he has an employment contract that specifies that he can only be terminated for cause. If the company wants to fire him, they must provide a valid reason.

  3. Maria quits her job as a waitress after her boss yells at her for a mistake she made. Since she is an at-will employee, she can leave her job without giving notice.

Legal Terms Similar to At Will Employment

  1. Wrongful Termination: The act of firing an employee for reasons that are illegal, such as discrimination or retaliation.

  2. Employment Contracts: Written agreements that specify the terms and conditions of employment, including the duration of the agreement, the compensation, and the grounds for termination.

  3. Just Cause: A legal standard that requires employers to have a valid reason for terminating an employee, such as poor performance or misconduct.