A Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Altadena CA Can Help You if You’ve Been the Victim of Harassment
Harassment based on gender, ethnicity, national origin, pregnancy status, age, handicap, or religion is illegal in the workplace. Every business in California is expected to take all necessary, urgent action to stop workplace harassment. If you are in need of a hostile work environment attorney in Altadena CA, PLBH is here to help.
Call us right away if you’ve experienced workplace harassment and your employer hasn’t taken any steps to stop it. Contact us now at (800) 435-7542 to speak to an attorney who can help you maximize your claim.
What is a Hostile Work Environment? A Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Altadena CA Explains
Almost everyone will inevitably run into hostile coworkers. But when does hostile behavior at work fall under the legal definition of harassment? It must be established that the behavior was hostile toward a protected class for it to be considered unlawful. Gender, race, national origin, pregnancy, age, handicap, and religion are examples of protected classes.
You must also be able to show that the behavior was severe and/or pervasive, that it was unwanted, and that it was serious and consistent enough that it made the workplace an intimidating or hostile place.
Not All Inappropriate Behavior Rises to the Level of a Hostile Work Environment
There are many forms of inappropriate workplace behavior that are not severe enough to result in legal action, such as offensive, crude jokes. To ascertain whether unlawful activity took place, a hostile work environment attorney in Altadena CA will evaluate your case.
Physically intimidating someone, grabbing them, pushing them, striking them, or otherwise physically touching them are all examples of illegal action. Off-color jokes, insults, slurs, and other comments that denigrate a protected status or characteristic are examples of verbal problems. And visual harassment using cartoons, drawings, pictures, and posters.
A Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Altadena CA Could Help You if You’ve Been the Victim of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can include things like persistently demanding a date from someone, requesting sexual favors, and many other unwanted sexual actions and behaviors. Sexual harassment has two basic categories: creating a hostile work environment and quid pro quo harassment, which happens when an employer asks for sexual favors in exchange for employee perks.
Learn the First Steps to Follow After Being the Victim of a Hostile Work Environment
Before you can pursue legal action, there are steps you must take to prevent future cases of a hostile work environment. This means keeping a record of the harassment, filing a written complaint with management and/or human resources, and utilizing any internal complaint procedures your place of employment may have established.
Both federal and California law mandate that harassment victims exhaust administrative remedies through either the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and/or the Equal Opportunity Commission before filing a lawsuit.
Document everything in writing and make a list of the harassing actions, and all witnesses. This evidence can be essential to ensure that your allegations are credible so you can get the lost wages, benefits, and punitive damages you might be entitled to. There is no reason to put off getting in touch with a hostile work environment attorney in Altadena CA. Contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 now for a free legal consultation.