Massachusetts Lawyers Who Get Results For Victims of Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace
In Massachusetts, most employees (except those with employment contracts or those covered by a union collective bargaining agreement) are "at-will" employees. That means an employee can be hired or fired for any reason as long as that reason is not discriminatory.
Straight Talk About Employment Law and Discrimination
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What are your rights at work? Understanding those rights can be complicated, but you are welcome to call the employment law attorneys at the Keches Law Group, P.C. Our lawyers are always on the side of employees. If you have reason to suspect you are not being treated fairly under the law, contact us.
Our attorneys use plain language to explain your rights.
When you feel you have been discriminated against or harassed at work, it is important to have someone who can explain the law — someone other than your employer.
- Sexual harassment is illegal. Sexual harassment is any unwelcome touching, conversation or exposure to sexual material in the workplace that a reasonable person would find offensive. If a co-worker sexually harasses you, you must immediately report the conduct to a supervisor or to the human resources department. This should be done in writing. Employers are given a reasonable opportunity to address the harassment and to take appropriate action to stop it.
- It is illegal for an employer to fire or harass you because of your age, disability, gender, race, national origin, religion or sexual orientation. People belonging to one or more of these categories are considered to be within a "protected class." If you are discharged based on your protected status, you may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings as well as emotional distress damages.
- A common example of discrimination is when an employee is discharged because of a disability or a work-related injury. If you are disabled, or have suffered a work-related injury, your employer may be required to keep your job open while you are out due to that injury or disability.
What is an adverse employment action?
An adverse employment action may include being fired, transferred, demoted or harassed by the employer, or being treated differently from other employees in similar positions in terms of pay, privileges or benefits. Discrimination and/or harassment does not include criticisms by an employer about your quality of work, absences, violation of company policies, reduction in the workforce, or other workplace decisions that are unrelated to your protected status.
If you feel that you have been harassed or have face discrimination at work because of your age, disability, gender, race, national origin, religion or sexual orientation, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
The Keches Law Group, P.C. represents clients in the greater Boston area and throughout Massachusetts.
