At Greenberg Gross LLP, we understand what it means to face racial discrimination in the workplace. When your career, your livelihood, and your dignity are on the line, you deserve a Boston racial discrimination lawyer who takes your case seriously and fights with everything they have.
At Greenberg Gross, we are trial lawyers for high-stakes cases, and we are here for you.
Racial discrimination in the workplace is not just wrong — it is illegal. And yet, it continues to happen to employees across Boston and throughout Massachusetts every day.
Whether you have been passed over for a promotion because of your race, subjected to a hostile work environment, wrongfully terminated, or treated differently than your colleagues, you have rights. We are here to help you understand them and fight to protect them. Call us today to discuss your case, free and confidentially.
Start your journey towards justice today by scheduling your free claim consultation
Why Choose Greenberg Gross LLP as Your Boston Racial Discrimination Lawyer
We are not a general practice firm that handles a little bit of everything. We are a trial litigation firm built around one purpose: winning high-stakes cases for the people who need us most.
Our founders, Alan Greenberg and Wayne Gross, were partners at one of the largest global law firms before establishing Greenberg Gross LLP — and they brought that same level of sophistication and courtroom excellence to a firm built on mission.
Here is what sets us apart:
- Trial-tested experience: Our attorneys have secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, including a $10 million settlement for breach of oral contract and a $6.1 million judgment for whistleblower retaliation. When opposing counsel knows we are in the room, they take notice.
- Elite recognition: Our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers, hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), and have been featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, and AMC Networks.
- National reach, personal service: With offices in Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh — and now serving clients in Boston — we bring the resources of a national litigation powerhouse with the personal attention of a smaller firm.
- No fees unless we win: We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis for employment discrimination cases, so you can pursue justice without financial risk.
We know what it takes to stand up to a well-resourced employer and win. If you are facing racial discrimination at work, talk to our team today. Call our Boston office at (617) 800-9199 for a confidential consultation.
What Is Racial Discrimination in the Workplace?
Racial discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably because of their race, color, or characteristics associated with their race, such as hair texture, skin color, or facial features. It can be overt and blatant, or it can be subtle and systemic. Either way, it is unlawful under both federal and Massachusetts law.
Racial discrimination can take many forms in the workplace:
- Being denied a job, promotion, or raise because of your race
- Being assigned less desirable duties, shifts, or locations than colleagues of a different race
- Being subjected to racial slurs, offensive jokes, or stereotyping
- Experiencing a racially hostile work environment
- Being disciplined more harshly than coworkers of a different race for the same conduct
- Being wrongfully terminated based on race
- Facing retaliation for reporting racial discrimination or supporting a colleague who did
Racial discrimination does not have to come from a supervisor. It can come from coworkers, clients, or even company policies that disproportionately harm employees of a particular race, a form of discrimination known as disparate impact.
If you have experienced any of these situations, a Boston racial discrimination attorney at our firm can help you evaluate your legal options.
Massachusetts and Federal Laws Protecting You from Racial Discrimination
Massachusetts employees are protected by some of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country. Understanding these protections is the first step toward seeking justice.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the primary federal law prohibiting workplace racial discrimination. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers hiring, firing, pay, promotions, job assignments, and other terms of employment.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B is the state-level counterpart enforced by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). Chapter 151B applies to employers with six or more employees and, in many ways, provides broader protections than federal law.
Critically, employees in Massachusetts have 300 days to file a complaint with the MCAD, and up to three years to file a civil lawsuit after receiving a right-to-sue letter.
Under these laws, employees who prove racial discrimination may be entitled to:
- Back pay and lost wages
- Front pay for future lost earnings
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Punitive damages in egregious cases
- Attorney's fees and litigation costs
- Reinstatement to your former position
Crown Act
Massachusetts also protects employees under the Crown Act, a law prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles historically associated with race, such as braids, locs, twists, and knots. This is an area where state law goes further than federal protections.
Our Boston racial discrimination lawyers are experienced in both federal and state employment law and can advise you on which legal pathway gives you the strongest chance of recovery.
Racial Harassment and Hostile Work Environments
Sometimes racial discrimination does not look like a single adverse employment action. Sometimes it is a pattern of behavior, such as comments, jokes, exclusion, and hostility, that makes going to work feel unbearable. That is called a racially hostile work environment, and it is also illegal.
To qualify as a hostile work environment under Massachusetts and federal law, the conduct must be:
- Based on race or a characteristic tied to race
- Severe or pervasive enough to create an abusive work environment
- Something a reasonable person would find hostile or offensive
A single extremely severe incident, such as a direct racial threat or a violent act, can be enough. So can a pattern of repeated comments or slurs that build over time into an intolerable atmosphere. Our attorneys have handled hostile work environment claims of all kinds, and we know how to document, present, and argue these cases persuasively.
Your employer has a legal obligation to address racial harassment once they know about it. If they failed to act after you reported it, or if the harassment came from a supervisor or executive, your employer may bear direct liability. Do not wait for the situation to escalate before speaking with a lawyer.
We can help assess the strength of your case
Wrongful Termination Based on Race
Losing your job is devastating under any circumstances. When you are fired because of your race, it is both devastating and unjust. Massachusetts is an at-will employment state, which means employers can generally terminate employees for any lawful reason, but terminating someone because of their race is not lawful.
Racial bias in termination decisions is not always obvious. Sometimes it shows up in the reasoning an employer gives — or fails to give — for a termination. Sometimes it is revealed by patterns: who gets laid off, who gets performance improvement plans, who gets second chances and who does not.
Our attorneys know how to investigate these patterns, gather evidence, and build compelling cases that expose the truth behind unlawful terminations.
If you were recently fired and believe race played a role, speak with one of our Boston racial discrimination lawyers right away. The time limits on filing a claim are strict, and acting quickly protects your rights.
Retaliation for Reporting Racial Discrimination
One of the most important protections under Massachusetts and federal law is the right to report discrimination without fear of punishment. If your employer fired you, demoted you, cut your hours, reassigned you, or created a hostile environment because you reported racial discrimination or supported a colleague who did, that is retaliation, and it is also illegal.
Retaliation claims are often filed alongside racial discrimination claims, and they can significantly strengthen your overall case. Our trial lawyers have secured a $6.1 million judgment in a whistleblower retaliation case, and we bring that same tenacity to every employment retaliation matter we handle.
FAQs Answered by Our Boston Racial Discrimination Lawyer
We know you have questions, and we are here to give you honest, straightforward answers. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from employees facing racial discrimination in Boston.
How do I know if what I experienced qualifies as racial discrimination?
If you were treated less favorably than colleagues of a different race in hiring, promotions, pay, job duties, discipline, or termination, that may qualify as racial discrimination. A pattern of racially offensive comments that management failed to address may also constitute a hostile work environment.
The best way to know for certain is to speak with a Boston racial discrimination lawyer who can evaluate the specific facts of your situation.
Do I have to report the discrimination to HR before I can file a legal claim?
Not necessarily, though documenting your internal complaints can strengthen your case. In some circumstances, making an internal complaint is required before an employer can be held fully liable, particularly in hostile work environment claims. A Boston workplace discrimination attorney can advise you on how to handle reporting in a way that protects you legally.
What if I am still employed at the company where the discrimination is happening?
You do not have to quit or be fired to bring a racial discrimination claim. Many employees file discrimination complaints while still employed. In fact, if you are experiencing ongoing discrimination, acting sooner can help preserve evidence and prevent further harm.
We can advise you on how to document what is happening and protect yourself from retaliation while remaining employed.
How long do I have to file a racial discrimination claim in Massachusetts?
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B, you generally have 300 days from the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). Once the MCAD process is complete, you typically have three years to file a civil lawsuit.
Missing these deadlines can forfeit your right to recovery, so it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
What evidence should I be gathering if I think I am experiencing racial discrimination?
You should keep records of any discriminatory incidents, including dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and who witnessed it. Save any emails, text messages, performance reviews, or written communications that reflect the discrimination or the employer's response. Keep copies of these records somewhere outside of work systems.
Detailed, contemporaneous documentation is often the foundation of a strong racial discrimination case.
Can I bring a racial discrimination claim if I am an independent contractor, not a full-time employee?
The answer depends on the specifics of your working arrangement. Some independent contractors may qualify for legal protections if they function more like employees in practice. Massachusetts law looks at the totality of the working relationship, not just job titles.
An attorney can help you determine whether you have a viable claim based on how your work is structured.
Talk to a Boston Racial Discrimination Lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP Today
You should not have to face racial discrimination at work alone. With Greenberg Gross LLP in your corner, you do not have to. Our trial-tested attorneys have spent more than a decade fighting for employees who have been wronged, securing multi-million-dollar results and holding employers accountable.
We are recognized by Super Lawyers, rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, and trusted by clients across the country in their most significant matters.
If you believe you have experienced racial discrimination in the workplace, we want to hear your story. Our consultations are free and completely confidential. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call our Boston office today at (617) 800-9199 to speak with a racial discrimination attorney who will fight for you.