Question

Which of the following are reasons someone can be legally fired? Check all of the boxes that apply.

An employee is sleeping on the job.

An employee is married.

An employee has been late to work seven times in a row.

An employee was born in a different country.

Answer 1

- [x] An employee is sleeping on the job.
- Legitimate performance/misconduct reason to terminate (unless protected activity is involved).

- [x] An employee has been late to work seven times in a row.
- Repeated lateness is a performance issue and can be lawful grounds for firing.

- [ ] An employee is married.
- Generally not a lawful reason to fire; marital status is protected by some state/local laws (and firing for pregnancy/related matters is prohibited under federal law).

- [ ] An employee was born in a different country.
- National origin is protected under federal law (Title VII), so firing for that is unlawful in most cases.

Note: This is general information. Specific rules and exceptions vary by jurisdiction and circumstances (e.g., bona fide job requirements, security-clearance or citizenship rules, union contracts, or local anti‑discrimination laws). Consult a lawyer or local HR counsel for a particular situation.