Six workers in a retail store were in the break room discussing the raise they expected to receive next month. They noted that it was not as much as last year’s raise. They wondered how they could request an increase and agreed to work together to find a way. They lowered their voices when the HR Director came in for a cup ofcoffee because discussing people’s compensation was against company policy.

Two weeks later, the 6 workers were terminated. They were the only employees to be let go. They were surprised and began to compare notes.They knocked on the HR Director’s door to ask for an explanation. The HR Director explained that the company appreciated their contributions but reminded them that, asthey acknowledged when they were hired, their employment was at-will. That meant the company did not need to give a reason and there was nothing more to be done.    

T or F: The HR Director’s explanation that the employment-at-will doctrine governed this scenario was correct.