Learn about the different kinds of discrimination that can happen in the workplace and how you are protected under Massachusetts law. Discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy is a type of sex discrimination at work under both Massachusetts law and federal law.Federal and state law prohibit Massachusetts employers from discriminating against employees based on certain characteristics, such as race or religion. This means, for example, that if a landlord who lives in one half of a two-unit building wants to rent only to men and not to women, the landlord can do this. A charge of discrimination is a signed statement asserting that an employer, union or labor organization engaged in employment discrimination. For example, if there is an employee handbook that says employees will receive two warnings before being fired, were you given two warnings before being fired? No person shall suffer discrimination in the terms, conditions or privileges of his or her employment because of his or her protected class status. >Were other employees treated the same as you? Federal discrimination laws and Massachusetts discrimination laws combine to give a long list of fair housing laws in Massachusetts. Massachusetts courts have stated: The term "adverse employment action" does not appear in the statute; M.G.L. c.