unfireable
Cannot be dismissed
Unfireable describes someone whose position is so secure they cannot be dismissed from their job.
The security might come from legal protections, political connections, union contracts, or simply being too essential to lose: Tenured professors are essentially unfireable.
Sometimes used critically to suggest someone faces no accountability for poor performance.
Ongoing employment without end date
- lifetime appointmentRole ending only at death
- stableSecure and unchanging
- secureProtected from harm
- iron-cladImpossible to alter
irremovable · entrenched · locked-in · career longevity · steady · unshakeable · reliable · long-term
Protected from harm
- exemptNot subject to
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- connectedJoined to another
nepotism · favoritism · golden child · above reproach · influential · well-connected · inner circle · bulletproof
Fundamentally necessary
- irreplaceableHaving no adequate substitute
- crucialOf supreme importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- keyLock-opening device
integral · invaluable · core · fundamental · linchpin · cornerstone · backbone · pillar
Senior academic post
- academicRelating to education or theory
- facultyInherent power or ability
- universityHigher education institution
- seniorityRank from length of service
tenure-track · emeritus · lecturer · scholarship · sabbatical · research position · collegiate · promotion
Joining into one
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- safeguardedKept from harm
- civil serviceGovernment's administrative workforce
grievance · collective bargaining · seniority rights · discrimination law · wrongful termination · due process · labor law · retaliation
permanent position
Ongoing employment without end date
- lifetime appointmentRole ending only at death
- stableSecure and unchanging
- secureProtected from harm
iron-clad · irremovable · entrenched · locked-in · career longevity · steady · unshakeable · reliable · long-term
immune
Protected from harm
- exemptNot subject to
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- privilegedHaving special advantages
connected · nepotism · favoritism · golden child · above reproach · influential · well-connected · inner circle · bulletproof
essential
Fundamentally necessary
- irreplaceableHaving no adequate substitute
- crucialOf supreme importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
key · integral · invaluable · core · fundamental · linchpin · cornerstone · backbone · pillar · anchor
professorship
Senior academic post
- academicRelating to education or theory
- facultyInherent power or ability
- universityHigher education institution
seniority · tenure-track · emeritus · lecturer · scholarship · sabbatical · research position · collegiate · promotion · dissertation advisor
union
Joining into one
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- safeguardedKept from harm
civil service · grievance · collective bargaining · seniority rights · discrimination law · wrongful termination · due process · labor law · retaliation · employment law
unfireablefireable
Eligible for termination
terminable · expendable · dismissible · dispensable · replaceable
unfireableat-will
Without needing permission
untenured · probationary · unprotected · contingent · gig worker
fire, fired, firing, fires, fireable, unfired, firearm, firearms, fireman