Final answer:
It is true that in most states, an employer cannot legally discharge an employee if the discharge is inconsistent with an explicit, well-established public policy of the state. Employment laws aim to prevent unfair dismissals and ensure that workers are not fired without just cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the legal limitations on an employer's ability to discharge an employee. The answer to whether an employer cannot legally discharge an employee if the discharge is inconsistent with an explicit, well-established public policy of the state is true.
Employment laws are designed to protect workers from unfair dismissal and discrimination in any aspect of employment, which includes firing. These laws are also a manifestation of public policy that protects workers from being discharged without legal cause, particularly when such dismissals would contravene state policies on firing, such as those forbidding termination due to discrimination, retaliation, or refusal to participate in illegal activities.
Additionally, there may be other specific laws or regulations in certain states that protect employees from being discharged in certain circumstances. Overall, the ability of an employer to discharge an employee is determined by a combination of federal, state, and local laws, as well as any applicable employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements.