Wrongful Termination 

Being wrongfully terminated from your job can have serious consequences for both your personal life and your professional future. Losing your job unexpectedly can create financial stress and damage your career prospects. Taking legal action may be the only way to protect your rights and seek the compensation or reinstatement you deserve. If you believe you were fired unfairly, working with an experienced Boston employment lawyer can help you determine whether you have a valid wrongful termination claim.

Termination as a Breach of Employment Contract

Employment in Massachusetts is generally considered “at-will.” This means that employers can terminate employees at any time and for almost any reason, as long as the reason is not illegal. However, when an employer fires an employee in violation of state or federal law, breaches an employment contract, or terminates someone for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons, it may constitute wrongful termination.

Under Massachusetts and federal law, an employer cannot fire an employee based on protected characteristics such as:

• Race
• Color
• National origin or ancestry
• Gender or sex
• Pregnancy
• Religion
• Age (for employees age 40 and older)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Military or veteran status
• Genetic information

Employers are also prohibited from firing employees in retaliation for engaging in protected activities, such as reporting workplace discrimination or harassment, filing a complaint with a government agency, or asserting their legal workplace rights.

Additionally, an employer may not terminate an employee in violation of a valid employment agreement, union contract, or other enforceable workplace policy.

If you believe your employer fired you for one of these unlawful reasons, you may have grounds to pursue a wrongful termination claim under Massachusetts or federal employment law. An experienced Boston wrongful termination attorney at Swartz Law can review the facts of your situation and help you determine the best course of action.