Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional Practice Exam

Who would typically not be covered by the employment at will policy?

1. Supervisor

2. Veteran

3. Disabled employee

4. Bargaining unit worker

The correct answer is: Bargaining unit worker

Employment at will is a policy that allows employers to terminate employees for any reason that is not legally protected, and similarly allows employees to leave for any reason. However, certain groups of employees are typically not covered by this policy. Bargaining unit workers, who are part of a union or collective bargaining agreement, have protections that stem from their contracts. These agreements establish specific terms of employment and termination, which cannot be overridden by the employment at will doctrine. This means that the conditions and procedures for termination are detailed in the union agreement, providing a safeguard against arbitrary dismissal. In contrast, supervisors, veterans, and disabled employees usually fall under standard employment at will policies unless additional protections are specified by other laws, such as those governing discrimination or veterans' rights. Thus, it is the bargaining unit worker who is distinct in this context because of the specific contractual rights gained through union representation.