Like most states, Nevada exercises the employment-at-will doctrine. At-will employment means both employer and employee have the right to terminate a work relationship at any time, for any reason, without notice.

Just because this doctrine exists does not mean bosses fire workers left and right. From their perspective, hiring a new employee is an investment of time and money. The onboarding process is not cheap, and therefore it is in the employer’s best interest to keep employees. From an employee perspective, it’s best not to leave jobs frequently either, as this could raise suspicions when applying for jobs in the future.

At-will employment in Nevada also involves employee exemptions. If an employer engages in breach of contract, discrimination, retaliation, or a public policy conflict that results in the firing of an employee, there may be grounds for a wrongful termination case. Legal action is permissible on the employee’s part if they believe they were wrongfully terminated.

There are arguments for and against at-will employment. Proponents note that it gives both employer and employee a swift way of breaking off a unfavorable workplace relationship. Opponents see at-will doctrines as unjust because the employer can have slight advantages over the employee, creating an unbalanced relationship.

If you have questions regarding at-will employment in Nevada, or believe you have been wrongfully terminated, the Nevada Association of Employers can help. Our experts aid in navigating Nevada employment law so businesses can focus on their core competencies.  To speak with one of NAE’s employment law specialists, please call 1 (775) 329-4241 or visit our contact page.