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 Pregnancy (Massachusetts law)

 Gender Identity (Massachusetts state law)

 Sexual Orientation (Massachusetts state law)

 Genetic Information (Massachusetts state law)

It is also important to note that there are other

categories of people that might be considered a distinct

“class” but are not “protected classes” under the law,

including people with particular political views or

affiliation, socioeconomic class, status as a parent, or

appearance. An employer should still be careful,

however, about treating employees differently for any

reason other than job performance, as the law can evolve

in these areas as well. For example, for many years

obesity was not considered a protected class, but recently

some courts have found it to be covered (in some

circumstances) under disability discrimination. Similarly,

8| Rules of the Road