James Gray is a $57-$year$-$old accountant who has worked for a large software firm for almost $30$ years. His yearly evaluations always show high performance. Despite this, his young new boss recently called him into his office to let him know that his last day of work will be at the end of the month, explaining that he preferred to work with employees closer to his own age. James viewed his boss's actions as unfair, so he decided to make an appointment with the HR director. The HR director would probably inform James that the new boss:

a$)$ should probably have used "softer words" when letting him know, but the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission almost always supports the employer's right to hire and fire whomever he or she wants.

b$)$ was out of line because federal law prevents employers from discriminating against workers $40$ years of age or older on the basis of hiring, firing, compensation, and other conditions of employment.

C$)$ has every right to hire whomever he wants to work in his department, but that federal law requires the firm to offer James employment in another department, if any positions are available for which he is qualified.

d$)$ was out of line because under the Fair Labor Standards Act, any age$-$related layoffs require that the employees be given at least six months notice.