“I recently complained to my supervisor that our company was failing to track and pay for overtime. Shortly after this happened, they fired me. What are my rights?”
Wrongful termination refers to any non-voluntary termination for an improper reason. In Massachusetts, there are a multitude of improper reasons that can trigger a wrongful termination. Most prominent among these are retaliation for certain complaints and discrimination based upon race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability, pregnancy or handicap.
State and federal laws protect workers from termination in retaliation for whistle-blowing or for making legal claims against the employer. Workers are also protected from being fired for making complaints about workplace safety, for refusing to work in unsafe conditions, or for joining with other employees to improve wages or working conditions. Employees are also protected against termination by public policy. The following reasons for termination would likely be deemed to violate public policy:
• Complaining about or reporting employer’s illegal conduct.
• Refusing to commit an illegal act on behalf of the employer, such as perjury.
• Fulfilling jury service obligations.
• Cooperating with law enforcement.
If you feel you have been wrongfully terminated, contact us today.
This information is not a do-it-yourself guide to resolving employment disputes or handling employment litigation. While some may find this useful for understanding the basic issues and their legal context, it is NOT a substitute for experienced legal counsel and does not provide legal advice. Please contact the team at Gordon Law Group to discuss your specific case.
