Can I be Fired in Massachusetts without Cause?

Can I be Fired in Massachusetts without Cause?

Although it seems almost impossible to believe, employers in Massachusetts, or in any other employee-at-will state, can fire any employee at any time for any reason — or even for no reason at all. An employer can terminate any employee, with or without notice. Of course there are exceptions.

The at-will employment doctrine is a legal concept that provides that an employer or employee may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause. This means that employers do not have to have “just cause” to fire an employee, and employees may do the same without having to offer a reason.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, Massachusetts law states that an employer cannot terminate the employment of an employee for reasons of sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, physical handicap (including mental retardation), marital status (including pregnancy), sexual preference and/or gender identity. This means that if you work in Massachusetts and get fired because of one of these reasons—even if your employer says they’re firing you at will—you may be able to take action against them in court.

If you believe you have been terminated unlawfully, call our offices for a consultation. 413-732-8356.