Most states follow the employment-at-will doctrine, and employment for an indefinite term may be terminated at will and without cause. Absent a specific contract term to the contrary, this doctrine allows an employee to quit or be terminated without liability on the part of the employer or the employee, with or without cause.

But executive employees often have a written employment contract that provides for a more complex compensation structure—including incentives, bonuses, and severance pay—and limits the circumstances under which the executive may be fired or terminated to those situations in which the employer has cause for termination, as defined in the written employment agreement.

In Mississippi, as in most states, the employment-at-will doctrine is the default rule, meaning that either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all, with some exceptions. These exceptions include terminations that violate federal or state discrimination laws, retaliation for certain types of protected conduct, and other limited statutory protections. However, executive employees often negotiate written employment contracts that provide a more detailed compensation package, including incentives, bonuses, and severance pay. These contracts typically specify the conditions under which an executive can be terminated, often requiring 'cause' for termination. 'Cause' is defined within the contract itself, and the terms of the contract supersede the at-will doctrine, providing the executive with greater job security and a clear framework for termination and compensation upon termination.