Final answer:
The dismissal of an at-will employee may legally occur 'for no reason,' as this type of employment allows for termination without requiring fair procedural process or justifications supported by facts, unlike non at-will employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dismissal of an at-will employee may legally occur for a number of reasons, and compared to employees who are not at-will, the level of justification required for termination is different. Specifically, an at-will employee can be dismissed 'for no reason' since at-will employment means an employer can terminate an employee at any time for any reason, except an illegal one, without warning.
In contrast, an employee under a contract or with certain protections might require a fair procedural process and reasons supported by facts before they can legally be dismissed. Moreover, at-will dismissals are more likely to not be arbitrary in nature, whereas those involving contracted employees typically cannot occur without just cause.
Understanding the distinction between at-will and non at-will employment is crucial for grasping the concept of procedural justice within the workplace, which involves fair processes in handling conflicts and determining outcomes for employees.
Studies have shown that employees are negatively affected when they perceive the process of their treatment, such as pay rates or dismissals, to be unfair or lacking in explanation, potentially leading to workplace violence or other forms of retribution.