and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics, both in Barnstable County and elswhere in the state. Under state and Federal law, both private and public employers in Barnstable 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. Some traits which employers are not allowed to evaluate employees with are: race, age, national origin, religion, familial status, and gender. Plaintiffs in Barnstable County, Massachusetts are required to prove that their employer treated them unfairly due to their protected status in order to succeed on an employment discrimination claim.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Massachusetts?

This is demonstrated upon finding a prior history of similar treatment of members of the same class, or upon testimony regarding the employer's statements that a reasonable person would hold to be biased. Further, an employer violates the law if they terminate a person's employment or otherwise retaliate in response to a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.

Because it involves filing a claim with particular agencies, the procedure for pursuing employment discrimination claims can be complicated. An Barnstable County, Massachusetts attorney can help you file on time, as well as pursue any additional remedies that may be available to you while your case is pending.