and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of particular protected characteristics, both in Watertown and elswhere in the state. Under state and Federal law, both private and public employers in Watertown can 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 category that is legally protected. Some traits which employers are not allowed to evaluate employees with include: race, age, national origin, religion, familial status, and gender. In order for a claim of employment discrimination to be successful, a Watertown, Massachusetts plaintiff must show that his (or her) employer actively intended to treat him differently because of his protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in Massachusetts?

This is shown 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 understand to be biased. Moreover, an employer violates the law if they terminate a person's employment or otherwise retaliate in response to a discrimination lawsuit filed against them.

The procedure for pursuing an employment discrimination claim is complicated, since it involves filing a claim with particular agencies. A Watertown, Massachusetts lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can help you in pursuing any available remedies.