Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Citizens' Guide to State Services

Published by
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Citizen Information Service

Employment: Discrimination

F15 Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination

F16 Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

F15 Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
One Ashburton Place, Room 601
Boston, MA 02108-1518
Tel: 617-994-6000
TTY: 617-994-6196
Fax: 617-994-6024
www.mass.gov/mcad

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination is the civil rights law enforcement agency of the Commonwealth. The commission has the authority to investigate complaints and take appropriate action in cases of illegal discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations and credit. The Fair Employment Practices Law prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of age, race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, or disability, including sexual harassment. Provisions of the Fair Employment Practices Law further interpret discrimination in employment to include protection of an employee who is terminated or not hired for other related reasons: maternity leave, religious observance, and criminal history.

Regional Offices:

800 Purchase Street, Room 501
New Bedford, MA 02740
Tel: 508-990-2390
Fax: 508-990-4260

436 Dwight Street, Room 220
Springfield, MA 01103
Tel: 413- 739-2145
Fax: 413-784-1056

Worcester City Hall
455 Main Street, Room 101
Worcester, MA 01608
Tel: 508-799-8010
Fax: 508-799-8490
Wednesday only: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm

F16 Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
Division of Human Resources
One Ashburton Place, Room 213
Boston, MA 02108-1516
Tel: 617-727-7441
TTY: 617-727-6015
Fax: 617-727-0568
www.mass.gov/hrd

Formerly the State Office of Affirmative Action, the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity's scope has been broadened to: Create a state workplace that welcomes, respects and values people of abilities, cultures, nationalities, religions, races, genders, sexual orientation, ethnic backgrounds and veteran's status; Identify and remove barriers so that programs and services are accessible to all the citizens of Massachusetts; Develop partnerships with public and private organizations to share best practices for enhancing diversity; Launch an outreach effort to increase the diversity of applicants to state jobs; and Comply with federal and state reporting requirements to ensure that all activities are in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Each secretariat will have a Director of Diversity, to ensure that agencies under their purview meet all state and federal laws regarding equal opportunity. An advisory council will also be created, made up of public and private sector leaders who will ensure steady input on diversity, strategies and programs.

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Citizens' Guide to State Services Table of Contents

William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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