RETALIATION AND WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY IN BOSTON

In Boston, employees who report discrimination, unpaid wages, or exercise rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or workers’ compensation laws, may face retaliation at work. If your workplace environment worsens after taking such actions, reach out to the experienced whistleblower attorneys at Swartz Law in Boston for assistance.

Retaliation in the Workplace

Both federal and Massachusetts state laws forbid workplace retaliation in various situations. Employers are not allowed to take ‘adverse actions’ such as harassment, demotion, reassignment, or termination against employees who engage in protected activities. In the context of discrimination, protected activities may include:

• Reporting discrimination against yourself or another employee
• Filing a discrimination complaint
• Opposing discrimination or helping another employee to do so
• Participating in a discrimination investigation or lawsuit
• Refusing to participate in or assist with discrimination

Protected activities also cover raising concerns about unpaid wages, being misclassified as an independent contractor, or exercising rights to reasonable accommodations, unemployment benefits, and medical or other leaves.

Whistleblowing Protections

If you report or decline to engage in unlawful activities at work, you may be considered a whistleblower and be shielded from retaliation. Laws with whistleblower protections, like the False Claims Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, may allow you to receive a share of the funds recovered by the government from a company found guilty of fraud or other illegal activities you report.

The Importance of How You Complain

For a retaliation claim to be valid, your employer must be aware of your protected activities, such as your complaint or opposition. In certain legal contexts, like discrimination, complaints can be made in various forms—verbally or in writing, internally or to external agencies like the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Other laws mandate specific actions to secure protection under their retaliation clauses or to qualify for a share of funds recovered under whistleblowing provisions. Failing to follow these necessary steps may prevent you from filing a claim or participating in the recovered funds.

Enforce Your Workplace Rights

If you suspect retaliation or are a whistleblower, seek advice from a Boston lawyer skilled in handling such cases. Attorney Tara Swartz specializes in employee retaliation and has managed numerous claims locally. She is familiar with the intricacies of relevant laws in Boston and can help improve your work environment or secure compensation if wrongfully terminated.