Final answer:
Protected classes in both federal and Massachusetts state law include Race, Sex, and Religion. Federal law also covers sexual orientation and disabilities, with Massachusetts aligning with and sometimes exceeding these protections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The protected classes that are recognized both in federal and Massachusetts state law are Race, Sex, and Religion. Additionally, federal law protects against discrimination based on national origin, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disabilities, pregnancy, and genetic information. As defined by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent legal interpretations, these categories are safeguarded against discrimination in employment. Massachusetts state law aligns with these protections, and in some cases, may offer broader protections.
For example, sexual orientation, which initially was not covered by federal law, now is recognized as a protected class due to a 2020 Supreme Court ruling and has been protected in Massachusetts even before this federal change.