In some cases, yes--especially if you're not working under a contract. Without a formal contract, you're considered to be employed at will, which means that both you and your employer have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time.
If there is no written record of the terms of the employment, it makes it harder to prove the existence of certain terms if action is taken against the employer. The lack of a contract can also prevent the employment relationship being legally binding between both the employer and the employee.
No Legal Record: Without a signed contract or agreement, there is no legal record of the terms and conditions agreed between the parties. This may lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and loss of evidence in case of a legal dispute or litigation.
Nothing contained in this Agreement will confer upon the Optionee any right to be employed or remain employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, or limit or affect in any manner the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment or adjust the compensation of the Optionee.
Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to terminate your employment at any time, nor confer upon your or any employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
California Is an “At-Will” State California obeys “at-will” employment laws. This means that all employers have the right to terminate employees at will, for almost any reason, or for no reason at all. This does not, however, mean that an employer can fire someone out of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
If there is no written record of the terms of the employment, it makes it harder to prove the existence of certain terms if action is taken against the employer. The lack of a contract can also prevent the employment relationship being legally binding between both the employer and the employee.