HR topics · At-will employment and firing notice by state

At-will employment and firing notice in California

California law presumes employment is at will (Labor Code section 2922).

What does at will mean in California?

Under Labor Code section 2922, employment with no specified term may be ended at will by either party on notice to the other. Employment for a specified term means a term of more than one month.

Can someone still be fired illegally?

Yes. At-will employment can't be ended for an illegal reason, such as discrimination or retaliation that the law prohibits.

When is the final paycheck due after a firing?

Immediately, at the time of termination, including accrued vacation. See the final paycheck page.

General information, AI-prepared and checked against the official sources listed, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities, contracts and union agreements can add rules. Last reviewed October 2026. How answers are made