I've worked for a hospital for 31 years as a unit secretary... rumor has it they're going to change our job description and tell 17 of us that we're not qualified and lay us off. They're only doing this to the unit secretaries in my area... is this legal?

Hello d:

No. Oh, they can FIRE you. They just can't LIE about the reason. If they mention the "not qualified" words after 31 years, it's CLEAR that they're lying... It looks to ME like you are in a protected class of elder workers who CANNOT be fired because of their age...

If they DO this, I'd make my first visit to an employment lawyer.

excon

Any question on the law need to include your location, as laws vary. If you live in a "right-to-work" or "at-will" employment, the answer is easy... yes. They don't need a reason. However, instead of listening to office gossip, I would go to HR and share my concerns.

You are absolutely right, I didn't make the distinction between a lay-off and firing.