Florida adheres to the at-will employment doctrine. This means that, in the absence of a specific contract or agreement, an employer can generally terminate an employee for any reason, or no reason at all, as long as the reason isn’t unlawful (e.g., discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or gender). Similarly, an employee is free to leave a job at any time, with or without notice.
This legal framework provides flexibility for both employers and employees. Businesses can adapt quickly to changing economic conditions and staffing needs. Employees, on the other hand, benefit from the freedom to pursue better opportunities without being bound to a specific employer. The at-will doctrine has a long history in the United States, stemming from common law principles. It has become the standard model for employment relationships across much of the country.
