Restrictions on Firing Employees in Massachusetts

Employers in Massachusetts are subject to these state rules that restrict firing employees under certain circumstances.

Massachusetts laws make it unlawful for an employer to:

• fire employees who serve on jury duty
• require employees to take a polygraph test
• fail to give reemployment preference to workers receiving workers' compensation benefits
• fire for union activity
• deny equal employment opportunity
• violate protections for veterans or reservists
• retaliate against an employee for filing a wage or discrimination complaint
• fire an employee for having wages withheld for child support