and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics, both in Pittsfield and elswhere in the state. Under state and Federal law, both private and public employers in Pittsfield may be found liable for discrimination, depending on what type of trait originally prompted the discrimination.
How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?
Employment discrimination can occur if the employer treats an employee unfairly based on their membership in a class that is legally protected. Traits that employers may not use to evaluate you include race, national origin, gender, religion and familial status. The plaintiff must prove that their employer intended to treat them unfairly because of their protected status in order to prevail on a discrimination claim in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Massachusetts?
This will be proven if the employer in question has treated others of the same class in a similar manner. It may also be shown when there is testimony regarding specific employer statements that a reasonable person would define as biased. Additionally, employers are in clear violation of the law when they fire someone or retaliate against them because they filed a discrimination lawsuit.
Pursuing an employment discrimination claim can often be complicated, because they involve filing your claim with specific agencies. Lawyers in the city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts may direct you in filing your claim on time, and while your case is pending, they can help you pursue additional remedies that might be available for you.