Employment Discrimination
Steffans Legal Represents Massachusetts Employees in Employment Discrimination Cases From Our Offices In Worcester, Lowell, Springfield, Pittsfield, Fall River, and Barnstable
Unfortunately, employment discrimination is incredibly common. Over the past 14 years, Steffans Legal has talked with 100s of Massachusetts employees from Pittsfield to Worcester to Fall River to Cape Cod who have suffered workplace discrimination. During that time, we’ve come to appreciate that not all forms of discrimination are obvious, and that sometimes subtle discrimination can hurt the most.
Unfortunately, many employees suffering from employment discrimination believe they have no options, and think there is nothing they can do to make it stop. Others know that they have options but are afraid to exercise those options for fear of retaliation.
Our 14 years of experience at Steffans Legal allows us to know how to tackle employment discrimination claims. When we talk to employees who are suffering from discrimination in the workplace, we are frequently asked the following questions. Trying to determine if you have a valid workplace discrimination claim in the state of Massachusetts? Schedule a free consultation with the team at Steffans Legal. We want to help.
“I called Ben Steffans because my employer was verbally abusing me and trying to make me quit. He immediately met with me in a kind and compassionate manner to discuss my problems. I had total confidence in his ability to help me because of his thorough knowledge of employment law and his tenacity for justice. Through Ben Steffans’s fearless negotiations my case was settled in my favor with a very just and lucrative outcome. I would highly recommend Ben Steffans for anyone who is in need of an excellent attorney!”
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Workplace Discrimination
What is unlawful employment discrimination?
At its core, employment discrimination exists when an employer treats an employee differently from his or her co-workers. That’s a very broad concept. Not all forms of discrimination are illegal. It’s only illegal if the discrimination occurs against employees because of a protected characteristic such as their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age (over 40), disability, pregnancy, genetic information, or military status.
So, some employment discrimination is legal?
Yes. Workplace discrimination is only illegal if it’s because of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age (over 40), disability, pregnancy, genetic information, or military status. It’s perfectly legal to discriminate against someone for some other reason. For example, it’s legal to discriminate against someone because they are left handed, but not because they are African American. It’s perfectly legal to discriminate against someone because they like to run, but not because they are Muslim.
Can I be retaliated against for complaining about unlawful workplace discrimination?
Yes, you can be retaliated against for complaining about unlawful workplace discrimination. But that would likely amount to unlawful retaliation and would give you an additional claim against your employer.
I’m employed at will. Does that matter in Employment Discrimination?
No. Employers can’t unlawfully discriminate and/or unlawfully retaliate against any employee: even one employed at will.
How do I prove an employment discrimination claim?
There are a number of ways to prove unlawful employment discrimination. Direct evidence is always the best. Comments from your supervisors that prove they were treating you differently because of your protected characteristic is always the most powerful. The next best thing is pointing to situations where colleagues of yours who are different from you were treated differently. It looks like age discrimination if an employer terminates an employee over the age of 40 for being late to work, but not his younger colleague. It looks like race discrimination for giving an African American employee a smaller raise than his Caucasian colleague, assuming they have similar work records.
What damages are awarded in successful employment discrimination claims?
Employees who successfully prove they were subjected to unlawful employment discrimination are entitled to compensation for emotional distress, lost wages, attorneys’ fees and, if the conduct is particularly egregious, punitive damages.
I think I'm being subjected to employment discrimination. Can you help?
Yes. Employment discrimination attorney Benjamin Steffans has represented countless employees in discrimination claims and has recovered considerable sums of money on their behalf, including on behalf of employees based in Springfield, Lowell, Worcester, Pittsfield, Fall River, and the Cape.
What’s next?
