Employment Discrimination in Massachusetts

Federal and state law prohibit Massachusetts employers from discriminating against employees based on certain characteristics, such as race or religion. (To learn more, see our page on employment discrimination and harassment.)

What Are the Protected Classes in Massachusetts?

In all 50 states, federal law makes it illegal to discriminate based on:

• race
• color
• national origin
• religion
• sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions)
• disability
• age (40 and older)
• citizenship status, and
• genetic information.

In addition, Massachusetts state law also prohibits discrimination based on:

• race
• color
• national origin
• religion
• sex
• disability: physical or mental
• age (40 and older)
• genetic information
• marital status
• sexual orientation
• military service
• arrest record, and
• gender identity.

Several cities in the U.S. have their own laws protecting additional characteristics or extending protection to more employees. Contact your local government to learn more.

Which Massachusetts Employers Are Subject to the Antidiscrimination Laws?

Federal antidiscrimination laws apply to Massachusetts employers with 15 or more employees, with the following exceptions:

• age discrimination (employers with 20 or more employees)
• citizenship status discrimination (employers with four or more employees), and
• equal pay for men and women (all employers).

In Massachusetts, any company with six or more employees is subject to the state's antidiscrimination law.

What Government Agency Regulates Workplace Discrimination in Massachusetts?

The Commission Against Discrimination enforces state antidiscrimination law in Massachusetts. You can contact the Commission Against Discrimination at 617-994-6000 or go to its website.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency that regulates workplace discrimination. You can contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by calling 800-669-4000 or check out its website at www.eeoc.gov. The website will help you locate an EEOC field office in Massachusetts.

For more information on employment discrimination, see The Manager's Legal Handbook, by attorneys Lisa Guerin and Amy DelPo (Nolo).