"SpongeBob, You're Fired!" was labeled as one of a few of very controversial cartoon episodes that aired on TV, targeting the subject matter of unemployment (although strangely 'Can You Spare A Dime?' tackled the same issue and that wasn't viewed as such). It was later taken off the air and was shown very rarely after that.
In the German dub, this was Eberhard Prüter's last episode where he voiced Squidward Tentacles. Prüter later died in October 2014.
In the French dub, this was Érik Colin's last episode where he voiced Patrick Star. Colin later died in November 2013.