Legal Question in Employment Law in Maryland

Offer letter missing ''AT-WILL'' phrase

I work at a municipality (city government) in Maryland. Been here for almost 10 months. Completed the probationary with getting a probationary termination, and have been made a ''permanent'' as my supervisor put it.

My offer letter did not say that my employment at the municipality is ''at-will''. I am in the state of Maryland, and how does ''at-will'' law of Maryland (I think Maryland is a at-will state. Correct me if I am mistaken) affect my offer letter not saying my job is ''at-will''?

If the offer letter does not say my job is at-will, could it mean that I can be at this small local government job for life?


Asked on 11/13/07, 11:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lawrence Holzman Holzman Law Firm, LLC

Re: Offer letter missing ''AT-WILL'' phrase

Most jurisdictions follow the doctrine of "at-will" employment, which simply means that absent a written agreement saying something else, either party can terminate the employment at any time for any reason or without reason (though obviously an employer cannot terminate for any reason that would violate equal protection or similar laws .. for example, can't terminate for reasons of race/religions etc.).

If the offer letter is silent as to the length of the term of employment then it will be at-will.

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Answered on 11/13/07, 12:20 pm


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