Massachusetts and Federal law prohibit employers from committing retaliation against employees who have engaged in certain legally protected activities.
Like many of the clients that we have successfully helped to secure relief and financial compensation, you may be a victim of unlawful workplace retaliation, if your employer has taken a negative adverse employment action against you because you did any of the following:
- you threatened to file a discrimination complaint
- you opposed workplace discrimination against yourself or others
- you complained about discrimination at work against yourself or others
- you participated in a discrimination investigation or proceeding concerning yourself or others.
- you refused to obey an order that you reasonably believed to be discriminatory
- you requested a reasonable accommodation of your handicap, disability or religion.
Examples:
- refusing to promote you
- assigning undesirable work to you
- giving you unjustified evaluation scores
- imposing unjustified or unequal discipline on you
- denying raises, bonuses, benefits, overtime, or training
- doing things to make it more difficult for you to do your job
- terminating, discharging, or laying you off (wrongful termination)
- subjecting you to workplace harassment, threats, or a hostile environment
- discriminating against you in any other term or condition of your employment
Even if your prior legally protected activity involved allegations of discrimination against a former employer, it is unlawful for your current employer to retaliate against you.
As a victim of unlawful retaliation, you may be entitled to various relief, including retroactive reinstatement into your position; promotion; payment for lost wages, benefits & seniority; payment for emotional distress damages, medical expenses, medical insurance, attorney's fees/costs and punitive damages.
Waiver of Rights:
Many employees are asked to sign a severance agreement or other document, often called a "General Release" or "Waiver of Rights". If valid, the employee's signature of such an agreement may have the effect of releasing the employer from all legal claims based upon prior events (except those which, by law, cannot be released) and may give up the employee's right to bring legal action or recover damages for any illegal retaliation, discrimination or other unlawful acts of their employer, which may have occurred previously or as a basis for the termination.
The employment lawyers at Lowrie & Andrew Attorneys at Law are experienced in reviewing these types of agreements and are available to advise you as to your rights, and available courses of action, if you have been asked to sign or have already signed such an agreement.
If you are a victim of unlawful retaliation, we, as experienced Massachusetts discrimination lawyers, can help you get the full relief and compensation that you may be entitled to under the law.
Our firm can protect your rights and help you fight back against the unjust actions of your employer. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.