Quick Answer
Boston employment law guide covering Massachusetts discrimination laws, Boston Fair Chance Ordinance, wage theft protections, and worker rights in Suffolk County.
Boston workers enjoy some of the strongest employment protections in the nation. Massachusetts law provides robust anti-discrimination protections, earned sick time requirements, and wage theft penalties that exceed federal standards. Combined with Boston's own local ordinances, workers in Greater Boston have significant legal rights whether they work in healthcare, technology, education, or financial services.
Quick Facts: Boston Employment Law
| Topic | Boston/Massachusetts | Federal Law |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $15.00/hour | $7.25/hour |
| Tipped Minimum | $6.75/hour | $2.13/hour |
| Earned Sick Time | 40 hours/year | No federal mandate |
| Discrimination Law | Mass. G.L. c. 151B | Title VII (15+ employees) |
| Filing Agencies | MCAD, EEOC | EEOC |
Key Boston Protections
Boston Fair Chance Ordinance
Boston has strong "ban the box" protections:
Requirements:
- Employers cannot ask about criminal history on initial application
- Can only inquire after initial interview
- Must consider nature of offense, time elapsed, relevance to job
Applies to:
- Employers with 6+ employees in Boston
- City contractors
Massachusetts Anti-Discrimination Law
Chapter 151B protections:
Protected characteristics:
- Race, color, national origin, ancestry
- Religion
- Sex (including pregnancy)
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Age (40+)
- Disability
- Military service
- Genetic information
Employers covered: 6 or more employees
Massachusetts Earned Sick Time
Statewide requirement:
- 40 hours of sick time per year
- Paid for employers with 11+ employees
- Unpaid for smaller employers
- Accrual: 1 hour per 30 hours worked
- Can be used for: illness, medical appointments, domestic violence
Massachusetts Wage Laws
Strong wage protections:
- Overtime after 40 hours per week
- Sunday/holiday premium pay (retail workers)
- Treble damages for wage violations (triple the amount owed)
- Final paycheck: immediate upon termination
Filing Complaints in Boston
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
Boston Office:
- Address: One Ashburton Place, Room 601, Boston, MA 02108
- Phone: 617-994-6000
- Website: mass.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Filing deadline: 300 days
What they handle:
- Employment discrimination
- Sexual harassment
- Retaliation
- Housing and public accommodation discrimination
EEOC - Boston Area Office
Boston Area Office:
- Address: John F. Kennedy Federal Building, 475 Government Center, Boston, MA 02203
- Phone: 1-800-669-4000
- Website: eeoc.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Filing deadline: 300 days
Massachusetts Attorney General
Fair Labor Division:
- Phone: 617-727-3465
- Website: mass.gov{rel="nofollow"}
What they handle:
- Wage violations
- Wage theft
- Misclassification
OSHA - Boston Area Office
Boston Area Office:
- Address: JFK Federal Building, Room E-340, 15 New Sudbury Street, Boston, MA 02203
- Phone: 617-565-9860
- Website: osha.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Legal Aid and Resources in Boston
Greater Boston Legal Services
Free legal services:
- Phone: 617-371-1234
- Website: gbls.org{rel="nofollow"}
- Services: Employment discrimination, wage theft, workplace issues
- Income limits apply
Massachusetts Employment Lawyers Association
Lawyer referral:
- Website: masslawyers.com{rel="nofollow"}
Boston Bar Association
Lawyer referral:
- Phone: 617-742-0625
- Website: bostonbar.org{rel="nofollow"}
Community Legal Services and Counseling Center
Free legal help:
- Phone: 617-661-1010
- Website: clsacc.org{rel="nofollow"}
Major Industries in Boston
Healthcare and Life Sciences
Boston is a global healthcare hub:
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Beth Israel Deaconess
- Biotech and pharma companies (Moderna, Biogen, etc.)
Common employment issues:
- Overtime violations for nurses
- Non-compete enforcement
- Retaliation for patient safety concerns
- Union issues
Higher Education
Major universities:
- Harvard University
- MIT
- Boston University
- Northeastern University
- Boston College
Common employment issues:
- Tenure disputes
- Discrimination in hiring/promotion
- Graduate student worker rights
- Sexual harassment
Technology and Finance
Major employers:
- Fidelity Investments
- State Street
- Wayfair
- HubSpot
- Numerous startups
Common employment issues:
- Non-compete enforcement
- Stock option disputes
- Discrimination in tech
- Misclassification
Common Employment Issues in Boston
Wage Theft
Massachusetts has strong wage theft protections:
Treble damages available:
- Triple the amount of wages owed
- Plus attorney's fees and costs
Common violations:
- Unpaid overtime
- Off-the-clock work
- Tip pool violations
- Final paycheck delays
Non-Compete Agreements
Massachusetts Noncompete Agreement Act (2018):
- Non-competes limited to 1 year maximum
- Cannot apply to hourly workers
- Cannot apply to employees under 18
- Cannot apply to terminated without cause (limited exception)
- Requires garden leave or other mutually-agreed consideration
Discrimination
MCAD provides strong enforcement:
- Covers employers with 6+ employees
- Broad protected categories
- Can recover compensatory and punitive damages
Federal Protections Apply
Boston workers receive all federal protections:
- FLSA: Minimum wage, overtime
- Title VII: Discrimination
- ADA: Disability accommodations
- ADEA: Age discrimination
- FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid leave
- OSHA: Workplace safety
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Boston?
The Massachusetts minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. Tipped workers must receive at least $6.75 per hour, with tips bringing total to at least minimum wage. Boston follows the state minimum.
Does Massachusetts require paid sick leave?
Yes. Employers with 11+ employees must provide 40 hours of paid earned sick time per year. Smaller employers must provide unpaid sick time. Employees accrue 1 hour per 30 hours worked.
How long do I have to file a discrimination claim?
You have 300 days to file with MCAD or the EEOC. Filing with one agency generally preserves rights with both due to work-sharing agreements. Consult an attorney to ensure proper filing.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Massachusetts?
Yes, but with significant limitations since 2018. Non-competes are limited to 1 year, cannot apply to hourly workers or those terminated without cause, and require garden leave or other consideration.
Related Resources
Legal Disclaimer
This guide provides general information about employment law in Boston, Massachusetts and is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Massachusetts employment attorney.
Official Resources:
- MCAD: mass.gov/mcad{rel="nofollow"} | 617-994-6000
- Massachusetts Attorney General: mass.gov/ago{rel="nofollow"} | 617-727-3465
- EEOC Boston: eeoc.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 1-800-669-4000
- OSHA: osha.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 1-800-321-OSHA