this post was submitted on 16 May 2025
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Work Reform

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[–] orcrist@lemm.ee 39 points 16 hours ago (3 children)

That's the whole point of having a contract. You don't quit your old job until you have a signed new contract for the new one. I understand that many Americans don't believe in this basic concept, but it's common in many countries around the world.

[–] Tja@programming.dev 9 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago) (1 children)

Even a contract includes probation period where they can let you go without reason and short notice. Even in a quite worker-friendly country like Germany it is usually 6 month period with 2 weeks notice (both sides).

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 7 points 8 hours ago

Absolutely true, but in this case they seem to be trying to wiggle out of even that minimal notice period. A promissory estoppel case would probably, if the plaintiff won, see damages in the form of payment equal to the salary that would have been earned in that minimum notice period.

[–] Strawberry@lemmy.blahaj.zone 28 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

Unfortunately many employment agreements in the US are "at will" meaning either party can terminate it immediately at will. In states where this is legal (almost all of them), you'd be hard-pressed to find any company willing to do it any other way.

[–] cyberblob@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 12 hours ago

That must be the Land of the free. :D

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 11 points 14 hours ago

Right? What is this "Employment Contract" you speak of? I just got told "You start this day, good luck fucker."

[–] modeler@lemmy.world 15 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

And the fun thing of 'fired at will' is that it is enshrined in so-called 'Right to Work' laws. The evil would be hilarious is it wasn't so horrible.

[–] princessnorah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 13 hours ago

No, you're wrong here. 'Right to Work' laws are about preventing unions from controlling an entire workplace, forcing new employees to join the union. 'At-Will Employment' laws are entirely seperate from that.

[–] frog_brawler@lemmy.world 6 points 14 hours ago

Yea there tends to be a disconnect at the “right to be fired” part.

[–] Zenith@lemm.ee 3 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

Is that different from signing the offer?

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 6 hours ago

My thoughts exactly... I'm not a lawyer, but I get the feeling that OP has a contract here and the company is trying to gaslight him into thinking that what they're doing is totally above board.

But again, not a lawyer so what do I know

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 2 points 14 hours ago

They usually don't even give you anything to sign