and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics, both in Somerset and elswhere in the state. Under state and Federal law, both private and public employers in Somerset 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. To prove employment discrimination in Somerset, Massachusetts, the plaintiff needs to be able to show that the employer's intent to treat them unfairly was motivated by their 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. 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. An attorney in Somerset, Massachusetts can assist you in filing on time, as well as pursuing other remedies that are available to you while your claim is pending.