Final answer:
An at-will employee can be fired for many reasons but cannot be terminated for serving on a jury, as this is a legal duty. Political party affiliation may be protected under state law, making option (d) potentially incorrect depending on the state. Option A is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
An at-will employee can be terminated from their job for any reason that is not illegal, such as performance, restructuring, or even no reason at all. However, there are specific protections provided by law that prevent an employee from being fired for certain activities.
Employees cannot be terminated for serving on a jury, as this is a legal duty protected by law. Similarly, employees serving in the Armed Forces are protected under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Other protected categories include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, and age (40 or older), according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Political party affiliation is generally not a protected category under federal employment laws, but some states have their own laws that protect employees from being fired due to their political beliefs or activities. Therefore, while violating the employment handbook or being let go without a given reason can be legitimate grounds for termination, firing someone solely for their political party affiliation may not be legal depending on state law.
The correct option, indicating what an at-will employee cannot be fired for, is a. Serving on a jury.