The Attraction to At-Will Employment in Utah Governments

Abstract

This article explores the mindset among Utah politicians and public administrators regarding at-will employment and related personnel reforms. At-will employment status is expanding in some Utah governments, and little is known about why. A small but influential group of officials were interviewed in hopes of learning more about this. Findings reveal a wide variation in attitudes and understanding of what at-will employment entails. Many of those interviewed expressed a willingness to consider it, and others showed stoical acceptance of it as another emerging feature of public personnel policy.