Getting fired can be incredibly difficult and stressful. After the loss of a job, people often become overwhelmed with uncertainty about their financial security and what their future will look like. If you were illegally fired from your job, an experienced Cambridge wrongful termination lawyer can help you pursue legal action against your employer.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, our team of Cambridge employment and labor lawyers is dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients. We understand the unique challenges that come with losing a job and will fight relentlessly to ensure a positive resolution for your case. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free initial case review.
Understanding How At-Will Employment Works in Massachusetts
If you are considering filing a wrongful termination claim, it’s critical to understand that Massachusetts is an at-will employment state. At-will employment means that employers and employees are generally free to terminate the working relationship at any time, whether they have cause or not.
However, there are important exceptions that provide protection to workers against unlawful termination. For one, not all employees working in an at-will employment state are actually at-will employees.
Certain categories of employees, such as public sector workers, union members, and those with employment contracts, are not considered at-will and have additional legal safeguards.
Public Sector Employees
In Massachusetts, most government workers employed in the public sector are not at-will employees. If you are fired from your government job without just cause, you will likely qualify to pursue a wrongful termination claim against your employer.
Union Workers
Employees working under a union contract typically enjoy more extensive employment rights than those of at-will workers. Most collective bargaining agreements resulting from union negotiations contain clauses preventing termination without cause.
Contracted Workers
If you are employed under a contract with a defined start and end date, your employer can generally not fire you before the contract expires, except under certain conditions.
Anyone who has protections that exceed those available for at-will employees will likely qualify to file a wrongful termination lawsuit if they are let go from their position without cause.
An experienced wrongful termination attorney in Cambridge, MA, will thoroughly analyze your situation and advise you of your options for taking legal action against your former employer.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful termination lawyer serving Cambridge, call (860) 999-9394
The Most Common Exceptions to At-Will Employment
Even employees classified as “at-will” may be protected from termination without cause in certain circumstances. Common exceptions that can allow you to take legal action include cases involving:
- Discrimination
- Medical leave
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Whistleblowing
Discrimination
Federal laws prohibit employers from firing workers due to their gender, race, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or other protected characteristics. While an employer can fire you without cause or simply because they don’t like you, they can’t fire you for any of these reasons.
Medical Leave
Employers are not allowed to terminate employees for using legitimate time off for medical reasons, including taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Your employer cannot fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim to collect following a work-related injury.
Whistleblowing
Federal and state laws protect employees who report their employer’s unlawful conduct from retaliation, such as wrongful termination. The government aims to protect workers who speak up to encourage others to come forward in the future. If your employer retaliated against you for blowing the whistle, a Cambridge workplace retaliation lawyer can help.
Cambridge Wrongful Termination Lawyer Near Me (860) 999-9394
Additional Protections From Wrongful Termination in Massachusetts
Massachusetts provides workers with additional safeguards beyond those available under federal law in certain circumstances.
Public Policy Exemptions
In Massachusetts, employees are protected from termination for actions taken in the best interest of the public. Public policy exemptions can include:
- Acting in the greater interest of the public
- Serving jury duty
- Reporting legal violations
- Refusing to engage in any unlawful activities
Covenant of Good Faith
Massachusetts also observes a covenant of good faith exception. Under this exception, your employer cannot fire you if:
- You have consistently received positive performance reviews and have been led to believe your employment was secure
- You are scheduled to receive a raise, bonus, or promotion
- You are in line to earn a large commission
These are only some of the circumstances under which a covenant of good faith exception would apply. An experienced wrongful termination lawyer serving Cambridge, MA, can help you determine whether the circumstances of your case qualify you to file a lawsuit against your employer based on this exception.
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Respect the Filing Deadline When Filing a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit
After losing your job in Massachusetts, the window for filing a wrongful termination lawsuit is only 30 days. If you fail to file on time, you will likely be out of options for recovering damages. It’s critical that you act quickly by reaching out to an experienced Cambridge wrongful termination lawyer to protect your right to take legal action and secure compensation.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, our legal team will conduct a thorough review of the details of your case to determine if there are any exceptions that would alter the amount of time you have to file. Once we identify the exact filing deadline, we will prepare and file all the necessary paperwork before time expires.
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Get Help From an Experienced Wrongful Termination Attorney in Cambridge Today
The best thing you can do for your case after being wrongfully terminated is to hire an experienced Cambridge wrongful termination lawyer. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we know the challenges people face after losing their source of income, and we have the experience needed to put you in the best possible position to recover the compensation you deserve.
Get in touch with us by giving us a call or completing our online contact form and schedule your free initial case evaluation. In it, you can learn more about who we are and the service you can expect if you work with us.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form