A Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Downey CA Can Help You if You’ve Been the Victim of Harassment
Harassment based on gender, race, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, religion, etc. is not just bad; it’s also against the law in the workplace. All California businesses are required by law to take steps to both prevent harassment from occurring and to put an end to it when it occurs. If you require a hostile work environment attorney in Downey CA, PLBH is prepared to aggressively pursue your claim.
If you have faced harassment at work and your employer has not taken the proper steps to put a stop to it, call us. Call (800) 435-7542 to meet with one of our renowned attorneys for workplace harassment in order to maximize the value of your claim and start the recovery process.
Get an Understanding of a Hostile Work Environment from a Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Downey CA
Virtually everyone will have to deal with a hostile coworker at some point in their lives. But when does hostile behavior at work fall under the legal definition of harassment? In order for behavior to fall into the unlawful category, it must be proven that the hostility was toward a protected class. Protected classes include gender, race, national origin, pregnancy, age, disability, and religion.
You must also be able to prove 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 Unacceptable Behavior Constitutes 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. Your hostile work environment attorney in Downey CA will assess your case to determine if illegal behavior occurred.
It can include physical hostilities such physical intimidation, groping, pushing, striking, and other unpleasant physical contacts. Off-color jokes, insults, slurs, and other comments that denigrate a protected status or characteristic are examples of verbal problems. Visual harassment can occur too, which includes using cartoons, pictures, posters, or drawings to harass someone.
A Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Downey CA Could Help You if You’ve Been the Victim of Sexual Harassment
Sexual workplace harassment includes persistent demands for dates, sexual favors, and other unwanted sexual actions. 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.
First Steps to Take
There are things you must take to stop hostile work environments in the future before you may file a lawsuit. This entails documenting the harassment, complaining in writing to management and/or human resources, and using any internal complaint mechanisms your workplace may have put in place.
Before bringing a lawsuit, harassment victims must first pursue administrative remedies through the Department of Fair Employment and Housing or the Equal Opportunity Commission, according to both federal and California law.
Document everything in writing and make a list of the harassing actions, and all witnesses. This proof may be necessary to support your claims and secure the benefits, punitive damages, and lost wages to which you may be entitled. We are here to help you – so do not wait another moment to call (800) 435-7542 to learn more about your rights and options during a free case consultation with a hostile work environment attorney in Downey CA.