American give (someone their) walking papers - to tell someone they must leave their job.
Since they got their walking papers from the chemical company, none of them has been able to find another job.
(redirected from get walking papers)
get (one's) walking papers
To be dismissed from employment or to be ordered to leave or move on from a place. After messing up that account, I'm terrified that I'm going to get my walking papers.When Bill came home drunk for the fourth night in a row, he finally got his walking papers from his wife.