Discriminatory Termination: What Does It Mean?
Discriminatory termination happens when an employer fires an employee because of a legally protected characteristic. These characteristics include race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and national origin. Additionally, laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act forbid employers in Boston and throughout the state from making employment decisions, including termination, based on these traits.
Sometimes discrimination is obvious. For example, an employer may make racist remarks or refuse to promote someone because of their gender. However, discrimination can also be subtle. In those situations, employers often hide discriminatory motives behind pretextual reasons. For instance, an employer might claim poor performance as the reason for termination, yet the real motive may involve discriminatory bias.
Common Types of Discrimination That Lead to Termination
- Racial Discrimination: Termination based on race or ethnicity violates federal and state law. Therefore, if you were fired because of your race or believe racial bias influenced the decision, you can take legal action.
- Gender Discrimination: Firing someone because of their gender or gender identity violates the law. Consequently, if your employer used your gender as the basis for termination, you may have experienced wrongful termination.
- Age Discrimination: Employees over 40 have protection under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Thus, if an employer replaced you with a younger worker or treated you unfairly because of your age, you may have a valid claim.
- Disability Discrimination: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts law protect employees with disabilities. Therefore, if your employer fired you because of a disability or refused reasonable accommodations, the termination qualifies as wrongful.
- Retaliation: If an employer fires you for reporting discrimination, harassment, or other unlawful behavior, the employer has engaged in retaliation. This action is illegal, and you may pursue compensation.
How Gordon Law Group LLP Can Help
At Gordon Law Group LLP, we understand the financial and emotional impact of discriminatory termination. Moreover, our Boston-based employment law attorneys have extensive experience with discrimination and wrongful termination cases. We fight for justice and stand with our clients throughout the entire process.
We start by investigating your case. Then we collect evidence and discuss the full circumstances of your termination with you. After that, we create a strong legal strategy designed to recover compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and, when appropriate, punitive damages.
Why Choose Gordon Law Group LLP?
Our firm has a long-standing reputation as a leading Boston employment law firm. Furthermore, we focus on defending employees’ rights. We have represented many clients in wrongful termination cases and helped them obtain favorable settlements or verdicts. When you hire us, you receive personal attention, strong advocacy, and a commitment to achieving the best possible result.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you believe you’ve been terminated due to discrimination, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Gordon Law Group LLP, we offer free consultations to evaluate your case and explain the next steps. Call us today at (617) 536-1800 or visit our website at www.gordonllp.com to learn more about how we can help you seek justice.
No one should have to face termination due to discrimination. Therefore, let us stand by your side and fight for your rights.
