Federal and state anti-discrimination laws only apply to employers of a certain size- in Massachusetts, 6 or more employees. Because the best known claim for sexual harassment arises under the discrimination statute, many people assume that small employers cannot be sued for otherwise actionable harassment.
This is not the case under state law. Massachusetts has a separate statute that makes sexual harassment unlawful, with no requirement that the employer be of any particular size. This is an important protection, because it is actually not uncommon for very small businesses to experience harassment issues.
If you think you have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace, regardless of the size of your employer, you should consult with an employment lawyer to better understand your rights and options.