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Can I fire employees for reasons other than poor performance in Massachusetts? What are the requirements?
Can I fire employees for reasons other than poor performance in Massachusetts? What are the requirements?
In Massachusetts, private employees are generally considered to be at-will employees, which means that they can be fired for any reason or no reason at all, as long as it is not an illegal reason such as discrimination based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics [3.1]. However, there are some exceptions to the at-will employment rule. For example, if there is an employment contract that specifies the reasons for which an employee can be fired, then the employer must follow those terms [3.1]. Additionally, Massachusetts law prohibits employers from firing employees for certain reasons, such as for reporting illegal activity or for taking time off for family or medical reasons [3.1].
Public employees in Massachusetts can only be fired for specific reasons such as misconduct, material neglect of duty, inability to perform the duties required of a member, or incompetence in the conduct of office [3.1].
It is important to note that employers must follow any terms specified in an employment contract [3.1]. Furthermore, Massachusetts law prohibits employers from firing employees for certain reasons, such as for reporting illegal activity or for taking time off for family or medical reasons [3.1].
In summary, private employees in Massachusetts can generally be fired for any reason or no reason at all, as long as it is not an illegal reason. However, there are exceptions to the at-will employment rule, and employers must follow any terms specified in an employment contract. Public employees in Massachusetts can only be fired for specific reasons, and Massachusetts law prohibits employers from firing employees for certain reasons.
Source(s):
Jurisdiction
Massachusetts