Retaliation: Massachusetts

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Authors: Daniel Blake and Justin Sheldon

Summary

• Employers who retaliate against former employees are liable for violation of the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Law. See Retaliation Under the Massachusetts Fair Employment Law.
• Under Massachusetts law, plaintiff employees have a higher burden of proof than they would under federal law. See Establishing a Claim of Retaliation.
• Massachusetts courts have not given employers clear direction regarding what types of employments decision are prohibited adverse employment actions. See Establishing a Claim of Retaliation.