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Right to work laws sound good, but in reality, it's boon for business and a bad deal for workers. The law generally states that a worker has a right to leave a job whenever they want, and an employer can terminate an employee whenever they want. This gives the illusion of fairness and "freedom of choice"
But the reality is that in the employee/employer relationship, it's the employer with the power, and with the least to lose.
What do I mean by this? Well, an employee usually needs a job more than the employer needs the employee. If an employee is terminated, there are usually coworkers that have been cross trained who will pick up the extra work from the terminated employee. the remaining employees will take up the slack without complaint because they are afraid they could be next. If not, the employer can usually find a replacement fairly quickly. (especially in bad economy). The employee on the other hand has just lost their primary source of income, and could potentially be in serious financial trouble if they can't secure a new job fast.
The only liability an employer typically incurs when terminating an employee is "2 weeks pay in lieu of notice". In most cases, the employer requires an employee to sign a contract agreeing not to sue or discuss the employer in exchange for the 2 weeks pay. Terminating employees under "right to work" is a low risk/high return gift to the corporate world.
But the reality is that in the employee/employer relationship, it's the employer with the power, and with the least to lose.
What do I mean by this? Well, an employee usually needs a job more than the employer needs the employee. If an employee is terminated, there are usually coworkers that have been cross trained who will pick up the extra work from the terminated employee. the remaining employees will take up the slack without complaint because they are afraid they could be next. If not, the employer can usually find a replacement fairly quickly. (especially in bad economy). The employee on the other hand has just lost their primary source of income, and could potentially be in serious financial trouble if they can't secure a new job fast.
The only liability an employer typically incurs when terminating an employee is "2 weeks pay in lieu of notice". In most cases, the employer requires an employee to sign a contract agreeing not to sue or discuss the employer in exchange for the 2 weeks pay. Terminating employees under "right to work" is a low risk/high return gift to the corporate world.