Massachusetts Employment Law-Termination
Navigating Employment Termination in Massachusetts: Your Rights and QuestionsWhen employment termination occurs, it can be a challenging experience for both employers and employees alike.
Employers may have invested substantial time and resources in their employees, making the decision to let them go a difficult one. Employees, on the other hand, often grapple with feelings of hurt and injustice, along with immediate financial concerns such as receiving their final paycheck or securing unemployment benefits. Employment law plays a crucial role in addressing the rights and concerns of both parties involved. It's essential to be informed about your rights, whether you're an employer or an employee. Below, we'll explore some of the common legal questions and issues related to employment termination in Massachusetts. Understanding Wrongful TerminationMassachusetts operates under at-will employment, meaning employees can be terminated with or without cause, unless there's an employment contract in place. However, there are exceptions. If the termination is motivated by discrimination, it may be considered wrongful. Similarly, if an employer takes adverse actions against an employee for engaging in legally protected activities, it could be unlawful.
In some situations, pervasive workplace discrimination or harassment can make working conditions unbearable, leading to a constructive discharge. Even if the resignation is voluntary, it can then be treated as wrongful termination. Employees who are shareholders in closely held companies and terminated without reason may have a claim for breach of fiduciary duty if they are fired without a legitimate reason. Performance Reviews and WarningsIn most cases, there is no legal requirement for employees to receive warnings before being terminated. While some employers may have policies for performance reviews and progressive discipline, they are typically not obligated to follow them, unless an employment contract specifies otherwise.
Employers may find it beneficial to conduct performance reviews and issue warnings as it helps maintain a record in case a question of wrongful termination arises. However, simply terminating an employee without prior warning is generally not illegal. Understanding Employment DiscriminationWhile employers can generally terminate employees for various reasons, discrimination is an exception. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination based on protected characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, and more. Employees in protected classes can still be fired, but the employer must be prepared to justify the termination. If the reason provided does not hold up, it may be deemed discriminatory.
If you suspect discrimination, it's crucial to consult with an employment lawyer promptly. The statute of limitations for employment discrimination cases in Massachusetts is relatively short, at 300 days or approximately 10 months. Retaliation ProtectionEmployers are not allowed to retaliate against employees for engaging in legally protected activities. These activities include reporting workplace sexual harassment, discrimination complaints, taking family or medical leave, filing wage and hour law violations, exercising workers' compensation rights, adhering to legal requirements like jury duty, and, in specific situations, reporting employer law violations.
Protected reports are valid even if made to supervisors or managers. For claims related to harassment or discrimination reports, quick action is essential, as these claims typically have a 300-day time limit. Unemployment BenefitsFor many terminated employees, collecting unemployment benefits is a significant concern. Generally, if the termination was involuntary, you can claim unemployment benefits, unless it resulted from serious misconduct. Termination due to poor performance usually does not disqualify you from unemployment benefits.
If you resign, eligibility for unemployment benefits may be more challenging to establish. In such cases, you would need to demonstrate that your decision to quit was due to some fault of the employer. Employer Responsibilities at TerminationEmployers have specific obligations when terminating employees. These include paying final wages, regardless of whether the termination is voluntary or involuntary, and settling any accrued and unused vacation time. Employers must also provide information about applying for unemployment benefits and, if applicable, notice about continued healthcare coverage under COBRA.
While employers are generally not obligated to offer severance agreements, they often do. Understanding these agreements and evaluating them is important. Learn more about severance agreements and how to assess them to make informed decisions. |
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How Our Employment Lawyers Can Help
We can help you navigate these issues and get clarity on your rights and obligations in the face of an actual or imminent employment termination. You can use the button below to schedule a call back from a member of our team, or give us a call at 781-784-2322.
