Posted 12-09-2014
Steve Duggan replies:
Yes, an employer can do that, so long as that’s the real reason. Most employees in the U.S. are employees at will, which means they can be let for any reason, or no reason. The only limits on this right are that the motive for the firing cannot be because of a statutorily protected characteristic (like race, gender, religion, national origin, etc.), or in retaliation for being a whistle-blower/complainant. Being a non-family member is not a protected characteristic under federal or state law.
Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.
