May 9, 2023

Massachusetts Revises Discrimination Notice; Updated EEOC Workplace Discrimination Poster

State Update Overview

In March 2023, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination published a revised discrimination notice regarding pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions.

Massachusetts Discrimination Law Update

• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions.
• Pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions include lactation or the need to express breast milk for a nursing child.
• The Act describes employers’ obligation to employees that are pregnant or lactating and the protections such employees are entitled to receive.

In October 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published a revised Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal poster.

Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Workplace Discrimination Law Update

• Revised poster includes additional information regarding who is protected, covered organizations, types of illegal employment discrimination, and types of employment practices that can be challenged as discriminatory.
• Clarified process to file a discrimination complaint through the EEOC including updated websites and new phone number
• Added QR code
• Newly added information for the federal Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program and coverage of employees of a company with a federal contract or subcontract
• Clarified process to report a contractor who has violated its nondiscrimination or affirmative action obligations under OFCCP’s authorities
• Added access information for telecommunications relay services

Massachusetts Labor Law Poster Update

All businesses within Massachusetts must post the Fair Employment in Massachusetts and federal EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal posters along with other state-mandated posting requirements where it is sufficiently accessible and viewable to all employees. This change has been reflected in our Massachusetts & Federal Labor Law Poster and does require an immediate mandatory update. Failure to meet compliance requirements and display the updated poster could result in fines.

Order the Massachusetts Labor Law Poster to immediately include this required update.