Can I Sue My Employer for Creating a Hostile Work Environment?
In most situations, you have a right to relief if you are in a hostile work environment. Depending on the scope of the harassment and the steps your employer took (or failed to take) to remedy your situation may dictate how successful your hostile workplace lawsuit will be. However, as a general principle, you are certainly able to sue an employer for creating a hostile work environment. Additionally, you may also be able to file a lawsuit where a co-worker (rather than a boss or supervisor) has created a hostile work environment. A skilled hostile work environment lawyer can help you determine your options for pursuing legal action.
What are the Legal Requirements for a Hostile Work Environment?
In order to have a successful claim against an employer for a hostile work environment, you must typically be able to demonstrate two key elements. First, you need to be able to demonstrate that the behavior was so severe and pervasive that it impacted the nature of your employment with the company. Employees are usually able to prove this element by providing evidence of a consistent pattern of abuse towards employees in the workplace. The second element you have to prove to have a successful hostile workplace claim is that the behavior was specifically targeting you from a protected group, such as race, sexual orientation, disability or religion. For example, if an employer utilizes behavior that only affects women, this would meet the standard, whereas behavior targeting all employees ‘equally’ would not. It’s important to remember that it is not against the law for your employer to be rude, discourteous, disagreeable, or unpleasant. Zeff Law Firm’s hostile work environment lawyer can help you identify whether you are able to sue for workplace hostility and identify the options you have to improve your workplace environment.
What do you do When Your Boss is Making Your Life Miserable?
Although you may feel helpless if your boss is making your life miserable, you are not completely powerless. Sometimes, bosses, managers, and coworkers behave in a way that we do not agree with or the culture of a company is difficult to comprehend. In these situations, you always have the option of leaving your job and finding other opportunities outside of that environment. However, if your boss is subjecting you to inappropriate behavior that violates your protected rights as an employee, then you should contact the attorneys at Zeff Law Firm, LLC to plan the best approach to pursuing legal action against your employer. Our attorneys can help you determine what options are best for your case. Get a free consultation today at 856-778-9700.
An Experienced Hostile Work Environment Lawyer In Philadelphia Or Mount Laurel Can Help Your Case
Harassment based on a protected class such as sex, race, religion and even complaints about a protected class are still remains one of most common forms of discrimination in the workplace today. It can come in many forms, such as sexually inappropriate language, unwanted touching, misogynistic treatment, comments, lack of participation, poor evaluations, unequal treatment of an employee. Sexual harassment also exists where a man or woman is treated worse because that employee does not engage in sex or even sexual flirting with his or her supervisors or superiors.
Hiring an experienced hostile work environment lawyer in Philadelphia will put you in a better position to win your case. A Philadelphia hostile work environment attorney will guide you through the process of pursuing a claim, including reviewing the evidence and determining its strength. As your case proceeds, your hostile work environment lawyer will represent you in court and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. If you can prove that you experienced a hostile work environment, you may be entitled to compensatory damages. These damages typically include claims for lost wages, including back pay and benefits. Most courts prefer the reinstatement of the employee and the termination of the offending employee as a resolution to the claim. State laws may offer more protection than federal law. Contact our hostile work environment lawyers in Philadelphia and Mount Laurel at 215-694-8885 to learn more.
