Some commonly advocated firing practices, such as having a security guard escort the employee out of the building, may actually upset employees more, leaving companies vulnerable to lawsuits.

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President Kennedy ordered the Alabama National Guard to escort Mr Hood and Vivian Malone into the building so that they could register for classes and pay their fees.

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When a blizzard hammered Baltimore in 1996, sidelining his rivals, Bronfein (a prolific political fundraiser) convinced the governor to send a National Guard troop to escort NeighborCare trucks along the highway.

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