WorksheetsHiring & Firing (Employment-At-Will + Exceptions)
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
Missouri is an "employment-at-will" state. What does this most accurately mean for employers?
Workers can only be fired with a written warning
Employers can fire employees for almost any reason
Employees can’t quit without notice
Firing must be approved by the state
True or False: In Missouri, an employer can terminate an employee for no reason at all under employment-at-will.
True
False
Which situation is an exception to Missouri’s employment-at-will rule because the employee is engaging in a protected refusal?
The employee is late twice
The employee refuses to break the law
The employer changes the schedule
The employee asks for overtime
True or False: Firing an employee for reporting unsafe working conditions is lawful under Missouri’s employment-at-will.
True
False
Firing someone for reporting legal violations is best described as:
Discrimination
Retaliation
Harassment
Just cause firing
True or False: A business may lawfully fire an employee for serving on jury duty.
True
False
Which reason is illegal for firing someone in Missouri?
Poor performance
Theft
Complaining about discrimination
Repeated absences
True or False: Employers in Missouri must provide two weeks’ notice before firing an employee.
True
False
Which of the following is considered a protected activity that employers cannot lawfully retaliate against?
Asking for time off
Reporting safety violations
Gossiping
Skipping shifts
True or False: In Missouri, quitting a job must always be done in writing.
True
False
True or False: Age discrimination protections in Missouri begin at age 40.
True
False
It is illegal to refuse to hire someone because of which characteristic?
Race
Hair color
Clothing style
Transportation method
True or False: A business can legally deny a job to someone who is pregnant.
True
False
Which option best describes a disability under discrimination law?
Having allergies
Having a temporary cold
Having a physical or mental impairment
Disliking loud noises
True or False: Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
True
False
Making fun of someone’s accent could be considered what?
Harassment
Discrimination
Both harassment and discrimination
Neither
True or False: Men and women must be paid equally for equal work.
True
False
Which is NOT a protected class under Missouri law?
Race
Sex
National origin
Hair length
Discrimination must involve which element to be legally actionable?
A protected characteristic
A joke
A disagreement
A schedule change
True or False: Harassment counts as discrimination if it is severe or repeated.
True
False
Which situation could be gender discrimination?
A boss prefers someone who works faster
A woman is paid less for the same work
A worker is late repeatedly
None of the above
Which best describes a hostile work environment?
Occasional rudeness
Severe or repeated harassment
Styles you don’t like
Annoying coworkers
Which is not a protected class under Missouri law?
Race
Sex
National Origin
Hair length
True or False: Employers can fire someone for participating in a discrimination investigation.
True
False
True or False: Harassment counts as discrimination if it is severe or repeated.
True
False
True or False: A company can deny a job to someone who uses a wheelchair if they could still perform the job with accommodations.
True
False
Missouri employers must pay workers at least:
Whatever the employer chooses
The Missouri minimum wage
Federal minimum wage only
No minimum wage applies
True or False: Employers must pay workers for required training hours.
True
False
Overtime begins after how many hours in a workweek?
35 hours
40 hours
45 hours
50 hours
True or False: Employers can take tips from employees if customers leave them.
True
False
Time worked “off the clock” is:
Optional
Illegal
Only allowed for managers
Allowed if employee agrees
True or False: Workers are legally guaranteed paid breaks in Missouri.
True
False
True or False: Posting someone’s medical information at work is illegal.
True
False
A worker who reports unsafe conditions is protected under:
Whistleblower laws
Fashion laws
Parking rules
None
True or False: Employers may legally change timecards to reduce pay.
True
False
Employers must give final paychecks:
Whenever they feel like it
Within a reasonable time
Immediately
Only if the employee asks
True or False: Employers must pay employees for all hours worked, even unauthorized ones.
True
False
A worker who refuses unsafe work:
Must be fired
Is protected
Can be fined
Isn’t protected
True or False: An employee’s locker and bags can always be searched without reason.
True
False
A workplace privacy rule means employers:
Can’t ever monitor anything
Must tell employees about major monitoring practices
Have no rights
Must remove all cameras
A 16-year-old can work until what time on a school night in Missouri?
Midnight
10 p.m.
Any time
3 a.m.
True or False: A 15-year-old can work construction if supervised.
True
False
Teens under 16 can work:
Unlimited hours
Limited hours per day/week
In dangerous jobs
Overnight shifts
Missouri requires employers to give employees:
Paid vacations
Breaks for minors
Unlimited sick time
Paid meals
A worker who refuses unsafe work is:
Must be fired
Is protected
Can be fined
Isn’t protected
True or False: An employee’s locker and bags can always be searched without reason.
True
False
A workplace privacy rule means employers:
Can’t ever monitor anything
Must tell employees about major monitoring practices
Have no rights
Must remove all cameras
In Missouri, a 16-year-old can work until what time on a school night?
Midnight
10 p.m.
Any time
3 a.m.
True or False: A 15-year-old can work construction if supervised.
True
False
For teens under 16, which statement is accurate?
They may work unlimited hours
They may work limited hours per day/week
They may work in dangerous jobs
They may work overnight shifts
Missouri requires employers to provide which of the following to employees?
Paid vacations
Breaks for minors
Unlimited sick time
Paid meals
True or False: Employers must keep time records for teen workers.
True
False
Working more than legal hours as a minor most directly affects:
Safety
Education
Workplace law violations
All of the above
A 14-year-old is permitted to work in which role?
In a restaurant kitchen
At a fast-food counter
Operating a fryer
As a cashier or bagger (non-hazardous)
True or False: Minors cannot work during school hours unless homeschooled.
True
False
During an interview, which question is illegal?
Your availability
Your age
Your experience
Your work history
A job posting that says “Young people only” is best described as:
Legal
Age discrimination
Harmless
Marketing
True or False: Employers can refuse to hire someone because of past complaints against other employers.
True
False
Hiring tests must be:
Random
Job-related and fair
Unnecessary
Optional only
Which interview topic is illegal for an employer to ask you about?
Your availability for weekend shifts
Your age
Your relevant experience
Your prior work history
True or False: Employers may ask whether you can perform essential job tasks or need reasonable accommodations.
True
False
True or False: An employer may refuse to hire someone solely because the person previously filed complaints against other employers.
True
False
Pre-employment testing must meet which standard to be lawful?
Be random and unannounced
Be job-related and fair
Be unnecessary but convenient
Be optional for some candidates
True or False: Employers can deny a job simply because a candidate has a disability.
True
False
Employers should avoid hiring decisions based on stereotypes primarily because such decisions may constitute:
Efficiency improvements
Personal taste
Discrimination
Scheduling flexibility
True or False: Asking a candidate about pregnancy during an interview is illegal.
True
False
Applicants have the right to be evaluated primarily on which factor?
Physical appearance
Job qualifications
Social media popularity
Personal rumors
True or False: Employers may require drug testing as long as it is applied equally to all applicants.
True
False
Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for which action?
Arriving late
Breaking workplace rules
Reporting legal or safety issues
Being a new hire
True or False: An employee who complains about discrimination cannot legally be fired for making that complaint.
True
False
Which action is NOT a protected activity?
Reporting harassment
Filing a discrimination claim
Joining a union
Complaining about soda prices
True or False: Retaliation is illegal even if the original complaint later proves to be incorrect.
True
False
A worker who speaks to investigators about discrimination is considered:
Protected from retaliation
Required to resign
Automatically in trouble
Ineligible for promotion
Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes a worker for engaging in which action?
Being late
Breaking rules
Reporting legal or safety issues
Being new
True or False: An employee who complains about discrimination cannot be fired for making that complaint.
True
False
Only if the complaint is proven
Only if HR approves
Which is NOT a protected activity under workplace laws?
Reporting harassment
Filing a discrimination claim
Joining a union
Complaining about soda prices
True or False: A worker can be fired for refusing to break the law for a boss.
True
False
Only if the order is verbal
Only if the worker is on probation
True or False: Sarcastic comments from coworkers automatically count as retaliation.
True
False
Only if repeated daily
Only if said by a supervisor
Which statement best describes what harassment must be to meet the legal standard?
Annoying
Severe or repeated
Daily
Done only by a supervisor
True or False: A single rude comment always equals harassment.
True
False
Which of the following are forms of sexual harassment?
Jokes
Unwanted touching
Pressure for dates
All of the above
True or False: Harassment can come from customers as well as employees.
True
False
A hostile environment is created when which condition is present?
Work is boring
Workers are ignored
Behavior is intimidating or offensive
The AC is broken
When harassment is reported, what must employers do?
Stop harassment once reported
Ignore complaints
Wait for proof before acting
Ask coworkers what they think
True or False: Harassment can be based on any protected class.
True
False
If harassment is reported and the employer ignores it, the employer is:
Not responsible
Legally responsible
Required to fire everyone
Allowed to do nothing
True or False: Harassment must involve physical behavior to be illegal.
True
False
Employers must pay wages using a lawful method. Which option reflects a compliant wage payment method?
In cash only
By check or direct deposit
Whenever convenient
Every 3 months
True or False: Pay stubs must show hours worked.
True
False
What is true about employers who don’t pay overtime when it is owed?
Are breaking the law
Are allowed to avoid it
Can avoid it by giving a bonus
Must pay double next week
Which item are employers required to track as part of timekeeping obligations?
Employee birthdays
Hours worked
Favorite foods
Clothing choices
True or False: Working more hours than scheduled still must be paid.
True
False
Workplace policies must meet which standard to be effective and lawful?
Written
Reasonable
Followed consistently
All of the above
True or False: Employers can fire someone because they "don’t like their attitude."
True
False
Which requirement cannot be imposed on employees by an employer?
Break the law
Work hard
Follow instructions
Wear uniforms
Where should a complaint about workplace discrimination be filed?
The Missouri Commission on Human Rights
The DMV
The IRS
Local police only
True or False: Screenshot evidence can be used in harassment cases.
True
False
Which document most commonly explains workplace rules to employees?
Employee handbook
Music playlist
Breakroom poster
Water bill
True or False: Employees have the right to see posted labor law posters.
True
False
Training employees on harassment is best described as which of the following?
Required for a safe workplace
A waste of time
Optional and unhelpful
Always illegal
