Best examples of at-will employment agreement examples employers actually use

Real-world examples of at-will employment agreement language

Lawyers love to argue about wording, and at‑will employment clauses are a classic battleground. Seeing real examples of at-will employment agreement examples can help you understand what works in practice.

Here’s a simple, modern at‑will clause you’ll see in many U.S. offer letters:

Example 1 – Basic at‑will clause for a non-exempt employee
Your employment with the Company is at will. This means that either you or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this letter or in any Company policy, handbook, statement, or practice creates a contract of employment for any definite period of time.

This is one of the best examples for entry‑level or hourly roles because it:

• Clearly says “at will”
• States both sides can end the relationship
• Disclaims any fixed term
• References “applicable law,” which matters in states with limits on at‑will firing

Examples of at-will employment agreement examples for different roles

The best examples of at-will employment agreement examples are tailored to the type of role, the jurisdiction, and the company’s risk tolerance. A warehouse associate, a fully remote engineer, and a C‑suite executive should not be getting the exact same at‑will paragraph.

Example 2 – Professional employee with benefits and conditions

For salaried professionals, employers often combine at‑will language with benefit disclaimers and conditions of employment:

Example 2 – At‑will clause for a salaried professional
Your employment with the Company is at will and is not for a fixed term. Accordingly, either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, in compliance with applicable law. No manager, supervisor, or representative of the Company has authority to enter into any agreement for employment for any specified period of time or to make any agreement contrary to this at‑will relationship, except in a written agreement signed by the Chief Executive Officer.

This example of an at‑will employment agreement does two smart things:

• It blocks supervisors from accidentally promising job security
• It reserves the power to change at‑will status to a named officer, in writing

Example 3 – Remote employee in a different state

Since 2020, remote work has exploded. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 27% of U.S. workers did some work from home in 2023, and many employers now hire across multiple states. That affects how you write at‑will clauses.

Example 3 – Remote at‑will employment across state lines
You will be employed by the Company on an at‑will basis. Either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable federal, state, and local law. Because you will be working remotely from [State], your employment is also subject to the employment laws of [State]. Nothing in this letter, in any remote work arrangement, or in any Company policy alters the at‑will nature of your employment.

This is one of the best examples of at-will employment agreement examples for remote roles because it:

• Acknowledges multi‑jurisdiction issues
• Explicitly says remote status doesn’t change at‑will status

Examples include probationary, seasonal, and temp-to-hire agreements

Some of the most misunderstood examples of at-will employment agreement examples show up in short‑term or trial employment situations.

Example 4 – Probationary period without losing at‑will status

Many employers use a “probation” or “introductory” period. Handled badly, it can imply that employees gain permanent status after the period ends.

Example 4 – Introductory period at‑will clause
Your first 90 days of employment will be considered an introductory period to allow you and the Company to evaluate whether the position is a good fit. During and after this introductory period, your employment will remain at will. This means that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.

Notice the phrase “during and after this introductory period” — that’s what keeps this example of an at‑will employment agreement from implying extra job security after 90 days.

Example 5 – Seasonal or project-based work

Short‑term roles still need clear at‑will language, especially if there’s a target end date.

Example 5 – Seasonal at‑will employment
Your position is expected to run from approximately November 1 through January 15. However, your employment is at will, and either you or the Company may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. The anticipated end date is not a guarantee of employment for any specific period.

This is one of the best examples because it:

• Acknowledges a projected end date
• Explicitly rejects any guarantee through that date

Example 6 – Temp-to-hire staffing arrangement

For temp‑to‑hire roles, you typically have a staffing agency, a client company, and the worker. The at‑will language has to be crystal clear about who can end what.

Example 6 – At‑will clause in a temp‑to‑hire context
While you are assigned to the Client through the Agency, you are employed on an at‑will basis by the Agency. Either you, the Agency, or the Client may request to end your assignment at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law. Ending an assignment does not guarantee reassignment to another Client. Nothing in this agreement creates a contract of employment for any definite term.

This example of an at‑will employment agreement shows how to separate:

• Ending the assignment
• Ending employment with the agency

Best examples of at-will employment agreement examples for managers and executives

Higher‑level employees often get more complex documents: bonus plans, equity grants, severance agreements. The trick is to offer those perks without accidentally erasing the at‑will relationship.

Example 7 – Manager with performance bonus

Example 7 – Manager-level at‑will employment
Your employment with the Company is at will. Accordingly, either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law. You may be eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus program, subject to the terms of that program as amended from time to time. Any bonus is discretionary and does not alter the at‑will nature of your employment.

Why this belongs among the best examples of at-will employment agreement examples:

• It separates bonus eligibility from job security
• It notes that plan terms can change over time

Example 8 – Executive with severance protection

Executives sometimes get severance if they’re terminated without cause or after a change in control. That can coexist with at‑will status if drafted carefully.

Example 8 – Executive at‑will with severance
Your employment with the Company is at will. This means that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. Notwithstanding the at‑will nature of your employment, if the Company terminates your employment without Cause (as defined in the attached Severance Agreement), you will be eligible for the severance benefits described in that agreement. No provision of any severance, equity, or bonus arrangement shall be construed to create a contract of employment for any fixed term.

This is a good example of an at‑will employment agreement that:

• Keeps at‑will language front and center
• Treats severance as a separate, conditional benefit

How handbooks and policies support at-will employment

Strong examples of at-will employment agreement examples don’t live only in the contract or offer letter. They’re reinforced in employee handbooks, acknowledgment forms, and policy updates.

Example 9 – Handbook disclaimer supporting at‑will status

Example 9 – Handbook at‑will disclaimer
This Handbook is intended as a general guide to the Company’s current policies and procedures. It is not a contract of employment and does not guarantee employment for any specific duration. Employment with the Company is at will and may be terminated by you or the Company at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law. The Company reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate, or change any or all such plans, policies, or procedures, in whole or in part, at any time, with or without notice.

Courts often look at handbook language when employees claim they were promised job security. This kind of example of an at‑will employment agreement language in a handbook helps the employer argue that no such promise was made.

Example 10 – Policy update acknowledgment

Example 10 – At‑will acknowledgment
I understand that my employment with the Company is at will, which means that either I or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. I understand that no statement in this Handbook or any other Company document, and no oral statement by any supervisor or manager, can create a contract of employment for any definite term or alter the at‑will nature of my employment, unless it is in a written agreement signed by the [Title of Authorized Officer].

This is one of the best examples of at-will employment agreement examples used outside the core contract. It reinforces the message every time policies are updated.

2024–2025 trends impacting at-will employment language

If you’re updating your templates now, you’re not working in a vacuum. Several trends are shaping how lawyers draft examples of at-will employment agreement examples in 2024–2025:

• State-level limits on at‑will terminations: Some states have stronger protections around discrimination, retaliation, and public policy terminations. States like Montana have statutory restrictions on firing after a probationary period. Before copying any example of an at‑will employment agreement, you need to check your state’s rules. The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a helpful state law map for various employment topics: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state.
• Pay transparency and equal pay laws: More states require salary ranges in job postings and restrict asking about salary history. While this doesn’t kill at‑will employment, it affects your offer letter structure. You may want your pay language and your at‑will language to sit side by side so there’s no confusion.
• Remote and cross‑border work: Hiring someone in another country usually means you’re not in an at‑will environment at all. Many countries require notice periods, cause for termination, or statutory severance. The International Labour Organization provides useful comparative information on employment protection: https://www.ilo.org.
• Increased litigation over implied contracts: Courts still see claims that handbooks, performance policies, or verbal promises created implied contracts. That’s why the best examples of at-will employment agreement examples emphasize that only a specific officer, in a signed writing, can change at‑will status.

For a plain‑English overview of U.S. employment law basics, including at‑will concepts, the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School is a solid reference: https://www.law.cornell.edu.

Practical tips when using these examples of at-will employment agreement examples

All the real examples above share a few patterns that are worth copying into your own drafting habits:

• Say “at will” explicitly. Courts don’t like guessing. Use the phrase, not just “indefinite” or “no fixed term.”
• State that either party can terminate. One‑sided language (“the Company may terminate your employment…”) looks harsh and can be misread.
• Avoid promising job security accidentally. Phrases like “permanent employee,” “for the long term,” or “as long as performance is satisfactory” can undercut your at‑will language.
• Limit who can change at‑will status. Nearly all of the best examples of at-will employment agreement examples specify that only a top officer, in a signed writing, can do that.
• Align all documents. Offer letters, handbooks, policy acknowledgments, and severance agreements should tell the same story about at‑will status.
• Get jurisdiction‑specific advice. These are educational examples, not a substitute for local counsel. Employment law is heavily state‑driven in the U.S.

If you keep those themes in mind while adapting any example of an at‑will employment agreement, you’re far less likely to send mixed messages to your workforce—or to a judge.

FAQ: examples of at-will employment agreement examples

Q1. What are some common examples of at-will employment agreement examples?
Common examples include: a basic at‑will clause in an offer letter, a probationary period clause that confirms at‑will status continues after the intro period, a seasonal employment letter that clarifies the projected end date is not a guarantee, and a handbook disclaimer stating the handbook is not a contract and employment remains at will.

Q2. Can an employee handbook override an at-will clause in my agreement?
It can, if it’s drafted badly. Courts have found implied contracts where handbooks used mandatory language about progressive discipline or promised that employees would only be fired for cause. That’s why the best examples of at-will employment agreement examples pair the contract clause with a handbook disclaimer that says the handbook is not a contract and does not change at‑will status.

Q3. Is at-will employment legal in every U.S. state?
At‑will employment is the default rule in almost every U.S. state, but there are important exceptions. Montana is the standout: after a probationary period, employers generally need good cause to terminate. Every state also recognizes exceptions for unlawful reasons like discrimination or retaliation. The fact that you have an example of an at‑will employment agreement in writing does not give you a free pass to fire someone for an illegal reason.

Q4. Do I need a lawyer to draft my at-will employment agreement?
You can start from examples like the ones in this guide, but you should have a qualified employment attorney review your final document, especially if you operate in multiple states or countries. Laws change, and templates from five years ago may no longer match current requirements. A short legal review now is cheaper than defending a lawsuit later.

Q5. Are there examples of at-will employment agreement examples that also offer severance?
Yes. Many executive and manager‑level agreements keep the employment relationship at will but promise severance if the employer terminates without cause or after a change in control. The key is to state clearly that severance is a conditional benefit and does not create a fixed term of employment.

Q6. Does at-will mean I can fire someone for any reason?
No. At‑will means you can terminate for any reason that is not illegal and not prohibited by a contract or statute. You still cannot fire someone because of their race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected characteristic, or in retaliation for protected activity (like reporting harassment or filing a wage complaint). The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state agencies enforce those limits.

Use these examples as starting points, not final answers. The smartest move is to combine clear, consistent at‑will language with policies and training that actually reduce your risk of wrongful termination claims.