Massachusetts Employment Attorneys May Take Issue with the State Legislature Over Sealed Employment Records

Boston, MAIn a move that could provoke action from several Massachusetts employment attorneys, the state legislature has refused to release any information about its record on hiring minorities.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">Several civil rights leaders have expressed concerns over a perceived lack of diversity within the state's legislature. The Patriot Ledger notes that the exemption from the public record allows lawmakers to hire whomever they want, however they want, without telling anyone why.

Representatives of the Boston-based newspaper attempted to contact the state's 200 elected officials, but only 18 offered information on their staff's racial demographic. Of those surveyed, only three lawmakers currently employ a minority staffer.

Democratic representative Benjamin Swan, whose staff is comprised solely of minority workers, feels that the lack of diversity may give people the wrong idea about the Bay State.

"Boston is one of the most frequently visited cities in the United States," he tells the Patriot Ledger. "People come here to see Boston and they tour the State House. It's important for people to see a glimpse of the population when they come here."