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In Montana it is unlawful for an employer to fire you in certain circumstances, such as: You were fired because you refused to violate public policy, or reported a violation of public policy, You had finished your probationary period and your employer did not have ?good cause? to fire you.

Montana is not an ?at will? state. In some instances, the Wrongful Discharge From Employment Act does not apply, but generally, once an employee has completed the established probationary period, the employer needs to have good cause for termination.

What does it mean for Montana not to be an at-will state? Montana is one of the only states whose law allows for employees to have an extra-layer of protection. In other states employers can fire an un-contracted at-will employee at any time and for any legal reason.

If you were fired because you lacked the skills to perform the job or simply weren't a good fit, you won't necessarily be barred from receiving benefits. However, if you were fired for misconduct relating to your job, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits. Under Montana law, misconduct includes: theft.

Beginning in 1982, Montana's Supreme Court created exceptions to the state's at-will employment scheme that increased employers' liability and the damages workers could claim for firings.

Under Montana law, ?Good cause? is defined as ? reasonable job-related grounds for dismissal based on a failure to satisfactorily perform job duties, disruption of the employer's operation, or other legitimate business reason.? MCA § 39-2-903(5).