Jackson Heights, NY asked in Employment Law for New York

Q: I recently started a job with a company, but found out that they are thinking of shutting down.

I left another job and it is unclear whether they are simply planning to restructure, and shuffle me to another division or lay me off. One strange thing is that I felt my immediate manager had no training plan or clear assignment for me, and when I asked him, he confirmed that he was thinking things over. --The contract is at-will, but I quit another job and took the job in good faith.

My question is: In the event that I am laid off, are there any repercussions I can take so I will be able to pay rent and bills while job hunting. (To be clear, I was able to verify the rumor, but officially speaking I have to play dumb.)

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: As an at will employee you have no rights. If the company shuts down, you get unemployment insurance. I am not sure what you are asking.

William P. Lalor agrees with this answer

A: If you are an at-will employee and there is no employment or labor contract, your employer can terminate your employment for almost any reason. There are exceptions if the termination is discriminatory or you are otherwise somehow protected, but at-will status is the general rule in NY.

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