Employment At-Will: District of Columbia

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Summary

• Employment relationships in the District of Columbia are presumed to be at-will, meaning the employment relationship can be terminated by either party, at any time, with or without cause. See The At-Will Relationship.
• The District of Columbia recognizes limited exceptions to the at-will presumption, including written and implied contracts and public policy exceptions. See Employment At-Will Exceptions.
• At-will employees in the District of Columbia challenging a discharge may file claims against their employers under tort theories, including intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation, so long as the plaintiff-employee is able to satisfy an evidentiary burden. See Tort Considerations.