Homer Simpson makes a good living as the Head of Nuclear Safety at the Springfield Power Plant. However, The Simpsons’ patriarch and father of three is often incompetent in his role and has caused many panics over time. These include meltdowns, getting on Mr. Burns' devious side, and various other work-related mishaps.
While it's shocking to see how one man is the reason behind many of Springfield's nuke accidents, it's even more astonishing that Homer hasn't been fired from his position when, rightfully, he should've been. Maybe it's because his unique situation lightens the heart of his boss, or without his job, his character's arc will be shaven. The most logical theory is that The Simpsons' would lose a significant humorous plotline since Homer serves an epic portion of it.
Anyways, we're topping the five situations where Homer should've gotten the axe from his job.
Homer Simpson's top 5 work-firing reasons
Homer isn't really stupid as he portrays to be; he's just lazy and enjoys gulping down Duff and donuts than receiving a well-earned paycheck. Many of us can't afford Homer's lifestyle, but we'd want that paycheck.
Getting on with it, here's Homer's five work mishaps.
Homer saves Springfield from a crisis
"Homer Defined" (Season 3, ep. 4)
In "Homer Defined", Homer is praised a hero by saving the town from a meltdown. The avoided event would've caused instant death, had it not been for the lucky move of one safety supervisor. He pressed the one button that stopped the meltdown, but in pure Homer stye, he didn't know which one he pushed. After the fame, came the truth, concluding that Homer isn't as great at his job, revealing that his action was happen-stance.
In reality, such behavior would've resulted in termination, but since Homer did save the town from nuclear disaster, he gets a free pass.
Homer falls asleep while on the job
"Left Behind" (Season 29 ep. 19)
On several occasions, Homer falls asleep during his shifts and ignores his tasks. While Mr. Burns or Smithers calls him out on his ineptness, Flanders gets the chance when he catches Homer in a snooze fest in season 29. And to think it was Homer who got Flander the plant position in the first place.
The moment should've made Flanders fire Homer right on the spot, but he couldn't do it because he has such a soft heart. Moreover, the scene was a perfect example of the Homer-Flanders friendship.
Homer causes Frank Grimes to throw sulfuric acid
"Homer's Enemy" (Season 8, ep. 23)
Homer pretty much gets along with everyone at the plant. They all accept who he is, even though he's not a model employee. Everyone except the new guy, Frank Grimes, that is. However, it's not Homer's fault, as he tries to get out of the way to make friends with Grimes. Yet, it's his near-fatal mistake of nearly consuming sulfuric acid, and old Grimes saved him from a certain death, that should be considered. Who leaves such a dangerous chemical out in the open when accidents could occur? Only Homer does, and that should've led Homer to his termination.
Grimes got a warning from Burns regarding that he threw the acid at the wall to save Homer. After that, Grime grew increasingly jealous of his coworker as he was more successful than he was, owns a nice house in an upscale neighborhood, has a good-looking family, and even hung out with the late President Gerald Ford. His own insecurities and rash behavior ultimately led to his own death.
Bottom line, accept other for who they are and don't be cynical.
Homer attempts to injure himself at work
"King-Size Homer" (season 7, ep.7)
Trying to get out of the plant's fitness program, Homer vows to get on disability to work from home. He tries everything from walking around a construction site and sliding into Burns' office. Now, if his boss knew what he was up to, he would've axed Homer, as I'm pretty sure that purposely injuring yourself at the workplace is against protocol. But this is The Simpsons, so everything isn't always accurate.
The plot was pretty funny and relatable in my perspective.
Homer fails the nuclear inspection
"Homer Goes to College" (Season 5, ep. 5)
During a surprise visit to the government nuclear inspection van, Homer caused a "mini-meltdown" inside the vehicle. This incident should have resulted in immediate termination, but Burns has connections with the Springfield University administration, and if Homer passes Nuclear Physics 101, he can keep his job.
Luckily, Homer does pass the course, so his employment is safe. Although he keeps continuing on making errors.
The real reason why The Simpsons' never fired Homer Simpson
After thirty-five of being on-air, fans finally learned the why of Homer's good work fortune. In season 36's (current season), "Shoddy Heat," Grampa Simpson inquires Burns about the whereabouts of his detective partner, Billy O'Donnell. The former knows precisely where O'Donnell is, but he's keeping it secret. In exchange for Grampa forgetting about his partner, Burns offers Homer a job at the plant when he's an adult. Homer will have permanent employment no matter how bad he is at it.
This quote is what Mr. Burns told Grampa, as part of the deal, and it was during the seventies, when Homer was a young kid.
"I will give that poor, pathetic knuckle-brain [Homer] a job and never fire him no matter how often and how badly he messes up."
And so, the mystery of why Homer was never fired has been solved.