## Can I be fired without a reason?
Also asked: at will employment, no cause, wrongful termination, illegal reasons for dismissal, fired out of the blue, sacked suddenly
In most of the United States employment is **"at will"**: either side can end it at any time, with or without a reason, and without notice.

At-will has limits. You **cannot** be fired for an illegal reason: your race, colour, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age (40+), or disability; for reporting discrimination, unsafe work, or unpaid wages; for taking protected leave; or for jury duty.

A contract or union agreement can also override at-will.

At-will also means **no advance notice is required**. See the next answer for notice and severance.

## Do I get notice or severance pay before being fired?
Also asked: severance pay when laid off, laid off, layoff, made redundant, no notice, no warning, no severance, dismissed immediately, WARN Act, layoff notice period
Federal law requires **no notice and no severance pay** for an individual dismissal.

The exception is mass layoffs: under the **WARN Act**, employers with 100 or more employees must generally give **60 days notice** of a plant closing or large layoff.

## Was I fired illegally?
A dismissal is unlawful when the real reason is a protected characteristic or a protected action. Signs worth noting: the stated reason keeps changing, it followed shortly after you complained or requested leave, or others who did the same thing were treated differently.

If you believe it was discrimination, file with the **EEOC**, normally **within 180 days**.

## Can I be fired for complaining about my employer?
Not when the complaint is legally protected. **Retaliation is illegal** for reporting discrimination or harassment, raising a safety issue, claiming unpaid wages, or taking part in an investigation.

Retaliation is a separate violation, even when the underlying complaint does not succeed.

## Am I owed unused vacation pay when I leave?
Federal law does not require paid vacation, and does not require paying out unused days.

Where an employer promised the benefit, **state law often treats accrued vacation as earned wages** that must be paid out. This varies sharply by state.