What are my rights as an employee if I feel that I have been treated unfairly at work?
State and federal law protects all employees from discriminatory treatment. Whether or not you are employed at-will, your employer cannot treat you differently due to your race, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and certain other protected classifications. The Law Office of Joseph L. Sulman, Esq., provides skilled and experienced representation for employees who have been harmed by discrimination in the workplace.
Federal and state law protects current and prospective employees from discriminatory employment actions. Under federal law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, and national origin. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects employees over the age of 40 from discrimination on the basis of their age. The American with Disabilities Act protects private employees from discrimination on the basis of a disability, and the Rehabilitation Act provides similar protection for public employees. Under Massachusetts law, Chapter 151B provides even broader coverage, protecting employees from discrimination on the basis race, gender, religion, age, national origin, and sexual orientation. These laws protect current and prospective employees from any discriminatory action that causes harm, from involuntary reassignments to terminations.
Additionally, an employer is prohibited from retaliating against an employee who raises a complaint of discrimination or any unlawful employment action. You have the legal right to raise such concerns without the fear or reprisal.