At Greenberg Gross LLP, we know how much courage it takes to acknowledge that what happened to you at work was not okay. If you have been passed over for promotions, paid less than your colleagues, pushed out of a job, or subjected to a hostile environment because of your gender, you deserve answers and you deserve justice.
Our Boston gender discrimination lawyers are here to stand with you. We handle high-stakes employment cases with the trial experience and sophistication your situation demands, and we are ready to fight for you. Contact us to discuss your legal options during a free case consultation.
Start your journey towards justice today by scheduling your free claim consultation
Why Choose a Boston Gender Discrimination Lawyer from Greenberg Gross LLP f
Greenberg Gross LLP is a trial law firm founded by attorneys who built their reputations at one of the world's largest global law firms. Today, we represent major companies, top executives, and individuals in their most significant legal matters, and we are proud to bring that same level of sophistication to employees who have been wronged.
Here is what sets us apart:
- Trial-tested attorneys: Our founders won a landmark $50 million verdict on a counterclaim that inspired the creation of this firm. That winning mentality runs through everything we do.
- Proven results in employment cases: We secured a $10 million settlement for breach of oral contract and a $6.1 million judgment in a whistleblower retaliation case. Our record speaks for itself.
- National recognition: Our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have been featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, and more.
- Client-centered approach: We take the time to understand your story. You are not just a case number here. We listen, we care, and we fight.
- Free consultations: We offer free, confidential consultations so you can explore your options without any financial pressure.
Gender discrimination in the workplace can leave you feeling isolated and uncertain about your future. Our team is here to help you understand your rights, evaluate your claim, and take decisive action. Call our Boston office at (617) 800-9199 to speak with a trial-tested employment attorney today.
What Is Gender Discrimination in the Workplace?
Gender discrimination happens when an employer treats an employee differently or unfairly because of their gender, sex, gender identity, or gender expression. It is illegal under both federal and Massachusetts law, and it can take many different forms, some obvious and some more subtle.
Common examples of gender discrimination include:
- Being paid less than coworkers of a different gender for the same or substantially similar work
- Being denied a promotion, raise, or leadership opportunity because of your gender
- Being passed over for hiring or a job assignment based on gender-based assumptions
- Experiencing a hostile work environment filled with sexist comments, jokes, or conduct
- Being retaliated against after reporting gender discrimination or filing a complaint
- Pregnancy discrimination, including being demoted, fired, or forced out after announcing a pregnancy
- Discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression
This list covers many of the most common forms of discrimination, but every situation is unique. If something at work has felt deeply unfair and tied to your gender, it is worth talking to an experienced gender discrimination attorney.
Massachusetts and Federal Laws That Protect You
You are protected by some of the strongest employment laws in the country. Understanding the legal landscape helps you see just how clearly the law is on your side.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
This is the foundational federal law prohibiting gender and sex discrimination in the workplace. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers hiring, firing, pay, promotions, job assignments, and working conditions.
Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act
The Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act (MFEPA), found at M.G.L. Chapter 151B, goes even further. It applies to employers with six or more employees and provides broader protections than federal law, including explicit protections for gender identity and expression.
Under Massachusetts law, you generally have 300 days from the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), so prompt action matters.
Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women be paid equally for comparable work. Massachusetts has its own Equal Pay Act that is notably strong, prohibiting wage discrimination based on gender and limiting how employers can justify pay differences.
These laws allow employees who have experienced gender discrimination to pursue:
- Back pay for lost wages and benefits
- Front pay for future lost earnings
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Punitive damages in some cases
- Attorney's fees and court costs
- Reinstatement to your former position
The legal protections available to you in Massachusetts are significant. Our Boston gender discrimination lawyers can help you understand exactly how these laws apply to your circumstances and what remedies may be available to you.
Recognizing a Hostile Work Environment
Not every form of gender discrimination involves a single dramatic event. Many of the cases we handle involve a pattern of behavior that builds over time into what the law recognizes as a hostile work environment.
A hostile work environment based on gender may exist when:
- Sexist, demeaning, or degrading comments are made regularly
- Gender-based jokes or stereotypes are tolerated or even encouraged by management
- You are consistently excluded from meetings, decisions, or opportunities given to colleagues of a different gender
- Supervisors or coworkers make comments about your appearance or personal life in a way that feels threatening or demeaning
- You have reported the behavior and nothing was done, or things got worse
The law does not require that you tolerate a workplace that makes you feel unsafe, disrespected, or unwelcome because of your gender. If any of these situations sound familiar, our attorneys want to hear your story.
We can help assess the strength of your case
Pregnancy Discrimination and Gender
Pregnancy discrimination is a form of gender discrimination, and it is far more common than it should be. If your employer treated you differently after learning you were pregnant, reduced your responsibilities, denied a leave request, or terminated your employment, you may have a strong legal claim.
Federal protections under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act require that pregnant employees be treated the same as other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work. Massachusetts law provides additional protections, including the right to reasonable accommodations during pregnancy.
Our team handles pregnancy discrimination cases with care and urgency. We understand that you are dealing with one of the most significant moments of your life, and you should not have to face workplace mistreatment on top of it.
Gender Pay Discrimination: Know Your Worth
One of the most pervasive and persistent forms of gender discrimination is unequal pay. Studies consistently show that women earn less than men across most industries, and the gap is often wider for women of color. But pay discrimination is not just a social problem. It is illegal.
Signs you may be experiencing gender-based pay discrimination:
- You discovered that a male colleague doing the same job earns significantly more
- You were told your salary expectations were "too high" in a way that felt tied to gender
- Pay raises and bonuses are distributed in a way that consistently favors one gender
- You were given a lower starting salary than male counterparts hired at the same time
Building a pay discrimination case requires careful analysis of comparable roles, salaries, and employer justifications. Our attorneys know how to gather this evidence and present it compellingly, whether at the negotiating table or in front of a judge or jury.
What to Expect When You Work with Us
From the moment you contact our Boston office, you will be treated with the respect and attentiveness your situation deserves. Here is a general overview of the process:
- Free initial consultation: We listen to your experience and assess the strength of your claim, with no obligation and no cost.
- Investigation and evidence gathering: We work to collect documentation, communications, personnel records, and witness accounts that support your case.
- Filing with the MCAD or EEOC: In most cases, a complaint must be filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before a lawsuit can be brought. We manage this process on your behalf.
- Negotiation: Our reputation as trial lawyers often motivates employers and their insurers to settle before litigation begins. Alan Greenberg has said it plainly: "Our reputation of winning big at trial often makes opponents decide to settle early."
- Trial, if necessary: If a fair resolution is not reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.
You do not have to figure this out alone. The legal team at Greenberg Gross LLP is with you every step of the way.
FAQs Answered by a Boston Gender Discrimination Lawyer
We know that reaching out to an attorney can feel like a big step. The questions below address what many people want to know before making that call.
How do I know if what happened to me counts as gender discrimination?
If you were treated differently at work in a way you believe was connected to your gender, gender identity, or sex, it is worth speaking with an attorney. You do not need to have all the answers before reaching out. Our Boston gender discrimination lawyers can help you evaluate your situation and determine whether a legal claim may exist.
How long do I have to file a gender discrimination claim in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, you generally have 300 days from the date of the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the MCAD. Missing this deadline can affect your ability to pursue a claim, so it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Can my employer fire me for reporting gender discrimination?
Retaliation for reporting discrimination is illegal under both Massachusetts and federal law. If you were demoted, terminated, or otherwise punished after raising a concern about gender discrimination, that retaliation may itself be a separate legal claim.
What if the discrimination was subtle, not overt?
Discrimination does not have to be dramatic to be actionable. Patterns of behavior, systemic pay disparities, and consistent exclusion from opportunities can all form the basis of a legal claim. An experienced attorney can help you see whether what you experienced meets the legal standard.
Do I need to prove my employer intended to discriminate against me?
Not necessarily. Some forms of gender discrimination can be established through what is called "disparate impact," meaning a neutral-seeming policy that disproportionately harms one gender. Your attorney can evaluate which legal theory best fits your situation.
What if I signed an arbitration agreement?
Many employment contracts include arbitration clauses, which can affect where and how your claim is resolved. This does not mean you have no options. Our attorneys are experienced in arbitration as well as litigation and can advise you on the best path forward.
Can I afford a gender discrimination attorney?
Most employment discrimination cases, including ours, are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. You can pursue justice without worrying about upfront legal costs.
Talk to Our Boston Gender Discrimination Lawyers Today
Gender discrimination at work is not something you should have to accept or move past on your own.
If you have been treated unfairly because of your gender, our Boston employment attorneys are ready to stand by your side. Greenberg Gross LLP has secured multi-million-dollar results in high-stakes employment cases, and we bring that same intensity and sophistication to every client we represent.
We offer free, confidential consultations. There is no obligation, and no judgment. Just an honest conversation about your rights and your options.
Call our Boston office at (617) 800-9199 or contact us online to speak with a trial-tested gender discrimination lawyer. You deserve to be heard, and we are here to listen.