My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Massachusetts
I was a law enforcement officer and shift supervisor for approximatly four years, before termination. The law enforcement agency in which I was employed, set-up policies and procedures for the process of "demotion and termination". Although I am aware that Mass is an at-will-employment State, is there anything that protects from arbitrary and fallacious termination?
The facts are as follows:
Approximatly four years ago, I was the victim of a highschool prank. A false and slanderous Myspace profile was created and depicted as though I penned such a profile. The author of such a profile utilized my name and pictures that were were easily attainable. Contained within this profile were various racial slurs, confession of illegal drug use and raping various individuals (amongst other ubsurdities.) The profile was subsequently deleted by Myspace.
Yesterday, four years later, I was terminated by my employer for "Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer." Their reason was the public posting of racial slurs, etc... violated their Code of Ethics. They stated that they no longer wished to employee a person who created such a profile.
Ergo, I did not. I never authored such an egregious profile, nor condone or consent to what was stated on such. The profile surfaced some four years later and could not, or ever be proven to be authored by me...except for a photo and usage of my last name.
Their policy for "demotion or termination" states that a permanent employee can only be terminated or demoted after all appeals, if requested, have been exhausted. How am I suppose to request an appeal for termination before I've been terminated? Is this is a violation of their policy and procedures...?
Just a pointer, this is not the first time a fallacious doppelgang-ish profile had ruined an honest person's career and public image.
Thoughts on this...

