The Cause and Effect of "For Cause" Employment Clauses

In his article, “The Cause and Effect of ‘For Cause’ Employment Clauses,” Zuckerman Spaeder LLP partner Jason M. Knott examines what constitutes for-cause employee terminations and provides detailed guidance to help employers protect themselves against claims that a termination “for cause” was unjustified. In delivering recommendations for employers, Mr. Knott—an employment law expert and contributing editor of the firm's Suits by Suits blog—cites a number of specific cases. These examples, among other things, highlight the importance of carefully examining the employee’s employment agreement to determine grounds for termination before taking action and of maintaining absolute discretion in order to avoid potential defamation suits.