Here's the deal. If you are black, a woman, disabled or over 40, you are more prone to file a lawsuit due to some kind of discrimination than a white guy in his 30s. It's just a fact. Because of this, a company is deemed to be at higher risk when letting someone go who fits into these categories.
As a result the "process" involves dotting the "i's" and crossing the "t's" that should come with any termination. This would involve documenting issues with an employee, providing fair warning and written reprimands before final termination.
It's the kind of shit you have to have together in the event the fired employee takes the matter up with the EEOC. The EEOC will ask for all documentation and then issue an opinion on whether or not discrimination may have been involved. If the EEOC believes there was discrimination, it can cost the employer a shit-load of money to fight in the courts.
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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm