A friend just started a job. She went in for her first day and the "boss" heard rumors about her and fired her on the spot. Can they do that?

Thank you for your question.

An employer can terminate without cause for any reason as long as it is not discriminatory. If the rumors related to a discriminatory motive, it could be problematic under human rights legislation.

There may be a cause of action here if she was lured from another position or if she was promised secure employment. Otherwise, however, the amount of severance that she would be owed after only one day of work would likely be very minimal, if anything.

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