[phildini]

In the US, especially in CA, where so many readers of this site live and work, absolutely.

All the policies and procedures are there to, ultimately, protect the company from wrongful termination or discrimination lawsuits. There's not really a govt body that mandates that.

(Handwave around: there are some protected activities that the govt cares if you're fired for, and if you can prove you were fired as retaliation then the company is in trouble, but mostly your manager can just fire you)