In the United States we are under at will employment in every state but Montana. Essentially, hire at will fire at will quit at will. This is not good for employees and I’d argue employers too. My proposal.
Mandatory contract employment for all non Independent contractor employment (Independent contractors must be entitled to their own hours & be paid per project/unit of work) Contracts would have set limits minimum of 12 months, maximum of 5 years. (exception for seasonal employment) The contract would be required to specify all policy rules, what hours they will work and regulations of the company, the starting pay, the frequency of raises and how much the raises are, the expectations to receive raises.
Employment courts would be set up where a fired employee would be allowed to appeal a firing in where the company would have to show cause, by showing a legal rule was broken and that there was consistent and equal enforcement. If found to have cause the employee forfeit unemployment insurance, if shown to not have cause the employer must either keep them employed with 1.5 backpay for days not worked or pay out their contract.
Conversely if an employee wants to quit they must show good cause (harassment, unequal treatment, breech of contract) or buy out said contract either directly or by monthly payments)
If either the employer or employee violates the law they can be held in criminal contempt and jailed until bailed (which will be paid to the other party) or stipulations met or contract would have naturally expired.
This imo would be far superior to the nonsense we have currently.
No, I would not want to be tied to an employer at all.
People get stuck because their means of living are tied to their job. That is, the means of getting housing, food/other essentials, and healthcare.
My healthcare should not be tied to my employer.
Housing should be attainable for an average joe with no extra help from places like family. Seeking cheaper housing alternatives should not be blocked off, like living in a tiny house on wheels or sleeping in your car or living in a tent. (Ideally, no one should have to do that… But someone in a desperate situation shouldn’t be punished if they’re not doing anything wrong.)
Getting the things I need should not require me to have a car. (Car = $$$) I should be able to walk or use affordable, dependable, available public transportation.
UBI and universal healthcare would solve a lot of this. If an employer doesn’t want me, fine they can let me go. But if I don’t want them, also fine. Either way, it should be that anyone should be able to live if they suddenly leave their employer for any reason. I would not be opposed to a mandatory two weeks/one month of notice or severance.