Can you be fired because other employees saw your check and complained

[anthony_chevyyoung]

because it was more than they make? I have a friend that has been a at job since July of last year and its a private practice doctors office and she had not been at work when the checks were handed out and somehow her check was handed to another employee and before she realized she had my friends check she opened it and showed everyone else that her pay was higher and they had been working there longer... so the doctor fired my friend saying it wasn't her work, she was a good worker, but they would rather "get rid of the problem than solve it"
My friend is a 21 yr old single mother of 2 and JUST signed a lease on an apartment and now has no income... what should her next step be with the way the economy is going????

 

[Zach]

Most states are at-will states, which means you can be fired for any reason except for the protected discrimination classes. Your friend was unfortunately more than likely fired justly and there is no recourse for getting her job back. She may qualify for unemployment and can get unemployment benefits while looking for a new job. Hopefully she won't have a hard time doing so.