and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of specificed protected characteristics, both in Essex County and elswhere in the state. Under state and Federal law, both private and public employers in Essex County may be found liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait originally prompted the discrimination.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

If an employee is a member of a legally protected category and their employer treats them unfairly because of that, the employer will be held liable for employment discrimination. Employers are prohibited from using certain traits to evaluate you such as national origin, religion, race, age, familial status, or gender. In Essex County, Massachusetts, in order to succeed on an employment discrimination claim, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the employer's intent in treating them differently was based on the protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Massachusetts?

This may be proved when there is a history of the employer treating members of the class similarly, or if witnesses testify about the employer's statements which would constitute bias as understood by a reasonable person. Furthermore, an employer who fires someone or otherwise retaliates because of a discrimination lawsuit is in clear violation of the law.

Because it involves filing a claim with specificed agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. Essex County, Massachusetts has many lawyers available to assist you in filing in a timely fashion, and they can also help you pursue any remedies that might be available to you while your case is being processed.