Yep employers fire people all the time "for no reason whatsoever." Saw it on that TV show where the boss was always saying YER FIRED.
.
Kinda surprised that you had to go back 20 some years to cite some chief who wouldn't promote somebody for just showing up as an example of evil bosses. 
.
Ain't ya got something more recent?  Once in twenty years is hardly worth getting all mad about. Seems like a minor twerk.