Workers Rights

Lawyers for Civil Rights stands with workers who experience discrimination and harassment, while advocating for expanded diversity in hiring and increased protections for workers. Systemic discrimination in hiring, pay, promotion, and termination disproportionately disadvantages people of color and immigrants in the public and private sectors. Impact litigation and advocacy are complemented by robust free legal aid for workers across Massachusetts to better understand their rights and protections under the law.

Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action threatens decades of progress in breaking down systemic barriers and leveling the playing field. To help mitigate the harm, empower organizations, and strengthen opportunity pipelines, LCR is engaging in intensive community advocacy and legal education, providing a wealth of legal advice, technical assistance, and resources – all while combating rollbacks in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). LEARN MORE

Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Boston Public Schools: LCR filed a race discrimination and retaliation case on behalf of a South Asian multilingual educator and administrator forced out of BPS after raising concerns about the treatment of English Language Learner students. LEARN MORE

Enhancing Diversity in Public Hiring: LCR has long advocated for greater diversity and representation in public safety agencies. Promotional exams – like those used by the Boston Police Department — disproportionately impact communities of color, yet the City of Boston continues using them, maintaining a barrier to equitable promotion. LEARN MORE

In response to #MeToo and #YoTambién, LCR is also bringing creative litigation to ensure that low-wage workers see themselves reflected in the movement against workplace sexual harassment.

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