Quick question for those schooled in law...

My girlfriend was recently fired from her work as a veterinary assistant. Her boss' only reason that she would give for letting her go is that she was too nice. No poor work performance or any other reason for the firing was given. She had been out of work for around 6 months, and she drove 60 mi each way to get to this job. She worked extremely hard and was constantly bombarded with compliments from her fellow co-workers. Is there anything that can be done about this?

In most states employment is "at will" and one can be fired for any reason..it would also help to look at her employee handbook if she got one. The best thing to do would be to contact someone who specializes in labor law in your state and give them all the details...

her to collect unemployment if she is eligible )enough time worked). She needs to get to her unemployment office and maybe check in with a lawyer who specializies in wrongful termination and/or civil rights (there is a short statute of limitations usually to file discrimination claims so she needs to check in maybe with the local human rights commission office in state government.

It may be that state laws protect the employer and he is firing her due to trying to avoid worker's comp laws or unemployment laws, so she should talk to a lawyer who specializes in this area.

good luck

sounds as though she could contact the ACLU and ask them if they have anything on the books regarding discriminatory hiring and firing practices involving employee's excessive "nice-ness".

They stood up for those fired for obesity. Might be worth a phone call.

I'm just trying to make sure that the company is at least reported for it. It quite frankly just pissed me off to extremes...Thanks for the help.

which unfortunately means she could be fired for any reason or no reason at all, save for an excuse that would offend "public policy", e.g., sexual harassment, refusal to act illegally at the behest of her employer, etc.

I was fired for no good reason seven months ago. I fell off at a chair at work, tore my ACL in my knee 100%, somehow managed to be able to walk within two weeks after the accident, and I was replaced. I worked my ass off, improved the organization and management of the office, AND I went to work THE VERY NEXT DAY (after the accident) AND THE DAY AFTER THAT to help two important real estate closings. I probably was let go because I filed for workers comp (my disability pay ended as soon as I could walk).

It sucks and I empathize with your girlfriend. It isn't fair.