Employment Discrimination Problems Solved With the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination

Any victim of employment discrimination in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can rely on double protection.

Not only can they count on the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) to fight their case at the federal level, but they can also use the state anti-discrimination authority to uphold anti-discrimination laws.

DoNotPay has everything you need to know about the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)—what it does, how it works, and how it can help you!

What Is the MCAD, and How Is Massachusetts Law Different?

The MCAD enforces Massachusetts state anti-discrimination laws and works in tandem with the EEOC.

As an employee in Massachusetts, you are protected under federal law from discrimination based on:

• Age
• Race
• Gender
• Disability
• Religion
• Color
• Nation of origin

State law in Massachusetts offers further protection against discrimination due to:

1. Gender identity or sexual orientation
2. Active military service
3. Biological or adoptive parenthood

Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation

Massachusetts is one of the 22 states that has introduced a law that explicitly prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Active Military Service

It is illegal to discriminate against any actively serving member of the military in Massachusetts. The prohibition covers discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, education, and financial services.

Biological or Adoptive Parenthood

Employers are legally bound to provide parental leave to a biological or adoptive parent of either sex.

The major differences between federal and Massachusetts discrimination laws are as follows:

Is State or Federal Law Better?

If you have the option of using a county court or the federal system, a discrimination lawyer will usually advise you to go for the legislation that gives you better protection.

Both legal frameworks protect you against de jure, de facto, and wage discrimination, as well as harassment (sexual, verbal, email, or cyber) and retaliation.

The points to bear in mind when deciding whether to file a complaint with the MCAD or the EEOC are as follows:

• The MCAD provides better protection for employees of small companies (six employees or more)
• State commissions may be more likely to take account of the importance of a company to a local economy and could be less aggressive towards an employer
• The EEOC may favor high-profile cases against large employers as it has to achieve the maximum impact with limited local resources

The decision is yours, but you should always choose the legal route that stands the greatest chance of success.

How Does the MCAD Work?

If you have exhausted all your options with your employer and want to involve the MCAD, the system is similar to working with the EEOC.

The process is as follows:

1. Charge of discrimination
2. Assignment of the case officer
3. Respondent position statement
4. Complainant rebuttal
5. Investigative conference
6. Probable cause determination

Charge of Discrimination

You must submit a written complaint to the MCAD detailing the events that you think were discriminatory and naming your employer, who is known as the respondent.

Assignment of the Case Officer

The MCAD will assign a case officer to work with you. They will inform your employer of your charge and ask the company for a position statement.

Respondent Position Statement

The position statement sets out your employer’s view on the alleged discrimination. If you have already tried unsuccessfully to resolve the matter internally, your employer will most likely deny the allegations in the position statement.

Complainant Rebuttal

You have an opportunity to emphasize your allegations by writing a rebuttal of your employer’s position statement—this effectively says that you are maintaining that you were discriminated against.

Investigative Conference

Your case officer may call an investigative conference between you and your employer to determine more facts around the case. You and your employer may also be asked to produce documents, witness statements, or other evidence at this stage.

Probable Cause Determination

Based on all the evidence collected up to this point, the case officer issues a determination as to whether or not your case has merit.

If there is not enough evidence or your employer agrees to settle at this point, your case officer will find no cause to continue the investigation and will close your case.

If probable cause is found, though, your case will move on to the next stage.

The next stage involves public hearings and mediation attempts to avoid your case ending in court.

The public hearing takes place under oath in front of an MCAD commissioner.

You and your employer are entitled to legal representation at the hearing, and the MCAD commissioner acts as judge. If you do not have a lawyer as the complainant, an MCAD lawyer will represent you.

The commissioner issues judgment at the end of the hearing. If the respondent is found not guilty, the case is dismissed. In the case of a guilty verdict, though, the commissioner can order:

• Compensation for back and future pay
• Damages for emotional distress
• Reimbursement of legal costs
• Punitive damages against your employer

The MCAD commissioner’s decision is legally binding, and your employer must comply with any orders.

What if You Decide To Use the EEOC?

If you decide that the EEOC gives you a better chance of success, the process is largely similar and starts with you filing a charge of discrimination. Filing your complaint can be a laborious process, though, as the EEOC often tries to demand an in-person intake interview.

The good news is that DoNotPay can get your charge filed with the EEOC in record time!

Use DoNotPay To File Your EEOC Complaint

DoNotPay is the expert at making your life simpler, and dealing with the EEOC is another way we can help.

Filing your charge of discrimination is as easy as one, two, three:

1. Sign up with DoNotPay in your web browser
2. Search for our Fight Workplace Discrimination feature
3. Fill in the details of your charge

That’s all you have to do—your nearest EEOC office will contact you to walk you through the next steps.

DoNotPay—The Virtual Lawyer You Can Rely On

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