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> In the US, in most (all?) jurisdictions, your employer doesn't really need to have a reason to fire you. They can fire everyone wearing red shirts, if they wanted to.

This is not entirely correct.

They can fire you for any reason as long as it’s not because of a protected reason.

There are certain protected reasons at the federal level and many states add additional ones at the state level.

So, for example, they can fire you for wearing a red shirt, but they cannot fire you for being too old (well, too old is defined as above 40…if you’re 35 they can legally fire you for being too old if they want).




Question: So what stops them firing the old bloke, simply because they are wearing a red shirt?

Ergo: Surely it should be the other way around; that you can only be fired for specific protracted reasons, i.e. gross negligence.


> Question: So what stops them firing the old bloke, simply because they are wearing a red shirt?

The possibility of a lawsuit, resulting in fines and penalties. Obviously many people won't bother to sue, and some companies will take the risk.




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