Employees who report or file a discrimination or sexual harassment complaint, participate in a discrimination or sexual harassment investigation, or assist another employee in pursuing a discrimination or sexual harassment complaint are protected by law from retaliation by their employers. If you believe you have been retaliated against, you have legal rights and should seek the advice of an experienced retaliation lawyer.
Under the law, it is illegal for employers to terminate your employment for complying with legal obligations, refusing to engage in activities that violate the law, or objecting to a firmly established and clearly defined public policy. Employers who are aware of a discrimination or sexual harassment claim (or a potential discrimination or sexual harassment claim) and other similar cases — must act carefully to avoid the appearance of taking adverse action against an employee protected under the law.
Retaliation can take many forms, including demotion, termination, reduced hours, and unfavorable job assignments. It can also take more subtle forms, such as increased scrutiny or criticism, exclusion from meetings or training opportunities, or being ostracized by co-workers or supervisors.
Whistleblower protection laws provide legal protections for employees involved, let us say, in the abovementioned cases. The specific laws apply depending on the employee's employer and the type of case. Federal employees are protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act, while state whistleblower statutes and common law protect state employees, healthcare workers, and non-governmental employees in Massachusetts.
Regardless of its form, retaliation is always illegal and requires certain conditions before an employee can seek protection under these laws. This can be challenging to prove without the help of a retaliation lawyer.
The Law Office of Justin M. Murphy is dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have been retaliated against. We understand that retaliation can significantly impact anyone's career and financial stability, which is why we will work tirelessly to help our clients obtain the compensation they deserve.
Our firm has extensive experience handling retaliation cases in Massachusetts and is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality legal representation. If you would like further information regarding retaliation in Massachusetts, or you have a specific legal issue involving any of the above or related issues, please call our office at (617) 921-8932 or email .