What type of discrimination is unlawful?
In Massachusetts, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religious belief, ancestry, age, disability, or genetic information. This type of discrimination is referred to as “protected class discrimination.” In addition to protected class discrimination, Massachusetts also prohibits discrimination based on language, marital status, veteran status, military status, and any other class status which may be protected by state or federal law. This type of discrimination is known as “general discrimination.” It is important to note that Massachusetts also prohibits retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or participate in protected activity, such as filing a complaint or providing information about discrimination to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. In summary, both protected class discrimination and general discrimination are unlawful in Massachusetts. Therefore, employers should take extra caution to ensure that their personnel policies and practices are in compliance with the law and do not violate any of the aforementioned protected classes.
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