I work at the City Museum in Saint Louis.
It is independently owned by Bob Cassily. On Tuesday, June 9th, 2009, Bob demoted two of the women managers for floor staff, and the woman manager in Art City. So, 3 women got demoted on the same day. This means they lose health benefits, full time status, and get a $4 pay cut, at least. Their spots were then filled with men, who Bob is more friendly with. The women trained the men for the positions, because they are competent, if not great, at their jobs. Under the Title VII of the Civil Rights act of 1964 this is illegal. There is also no HR person working there right now, because they were fired. I have now heard that Missouri is a right to fire state and therefore they can do this? Unfortunately, these women need their jobs and I don't know if they are going to stand up. It is a cool place and the idea of it is wonderful, unfortunately the owner is enforcing sexist changes and hurting his women staff, who have been loyal to the museum.
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I'd say that if someone was going to fire me, they better have a good, documented reason why I am incompetent at my job.
And I'd say that you only have the legal right to such a reason in some states. In other states - the more politically conservative, anti-labor ones - your employer can fire you for no reason at all, as long as they don't run afoul of Federal or state anti-discrimination laws.
That said, this sounds like a situation where the demoted women could have a case if they took it to EEOC or whatever labor authorities exist in Missouri.
Actually, in every state, unless you are protected by a union contract or a written employment agreement, you can be fired at any time, for any reason, or no reason at all.
It's called the "doctrine of employment-at-will" and most American workers are subject to it, in every state and territory.