Employers in Massachusetts are prohibited from discriminating against employees on the basis of gender under the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act. Accordingly, gender may not be the basis for any employer decisions regarding pay, hiring policies, or promotion requirements. They are also required to ensure that working conditions are not hostile toward any one gender and that the atmosphere is not overtly sexual.

What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

Under the Equal Pay Act, discrimination is proven when both men and women do the same type of work in the same job and yet are given different wages. Also, discrimination can be proven if the employer in Hopedale is only hiring or issuing promotions based on one gender. A claim will also succeed if the employer retaliates against workers who seek relief for discrimination.

When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?

Sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual behavior, whether verbal or physical, directed at the victim. An employer in Hopedale may also potentially be held liable for inappropriate behavior that was conducted by an employee's co-worker.

If the employer allows conduct to create an overly sexual work environment, they might be held liable for sexual harassment in Massachusetts. Without a lawyer, it can be difficult to prove gender discrimination because the details in proving intent are often complicated. Also, there can be specific procedures that must be closely followed in pursuing a claim.