Unlawful People Fired Working Impossible Boss Employer's Termination

In the United States, most people can be "fired" (told that one no longer has a job) for any reason, even if it seems unfair. In general, employees are fired for incompetence, or for not doing their job. This is "legal" (allowed under the law).

However, if someone is fired "on the basis of" (because of) "race" (skin color), religion, "gender" (whether one is male or female), "national origin" (which country one was born in), age, or "disability" (when one's body is not able to do certain things), it is an example of "unlawful" (against the law) "termination" (firing). Firing someone for being a "whistle-blower" (sharing information about the employer's illegal activities) is another example of unlawful termination.

When people think that they have experienced unlawful termination, they may choose to "take action" (do something to officially fight against the unlawful termination). They might begin by "filing a complaint" (sending official, written documents) with the employer's human resources department. If this doesn't work, then they can "turn to" (go to) the government agency that deals with that particular "aspect" (type) of unlawful termination. For example, a woman who believes she has been fired because she is pregnant can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Individuals can also hire a lawyer to help them "sue" (take to court and ask for money) their former employer. These people probably won't get their job back, but they might "collect damages" (receive money to cover the amount of money that they lost from not having a job).