Final answer:
Employment-at-will or 'termination without cause' is not considered unconscionable per se in legal circles, although it's debated ethically. The practice is legally upheld as it provides flexibility to businesses, but it may undermine worker rights leading to criticism and discussion regarding its fairness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether "termination without cause" provisions, or employment at-will, are unconscionable per se is a significant legal and ethical issue within employment law. Employment-at-will allows either the employer or the employee to terminate employment at any time without cause, which is the standard employment model in most of the United States. Business Ethics Quarterly discusses the ramifications such policies can have, including employee rights and future directions for employment.
Although employment-at-will is a widely accepted practice, it has been criticized for lacking job security and potentially undermining worker rights. However, to categorize it as unconscionable per se would imply that it is unfair or unjust by its very nature, which is not a universally held position within legal circles. In fact, employment-at-will policies are legally upheld in many jurisdictions, barring any contractual or statutory exceptions. Arguments surrounding this topic often involve balancing the flexibility afforded to businesses in managing their workforce with the protection of employees from arbitrary dismissals.