Know your rights
Harassment
Harassment in the workplace can take many forms. Basically, it is the act of creating a hostile work environment for an employee, based on that individual’s protected status (such as sex, age, disability, race, religion, etc.). Harassment in the workplace is unlawful. Our lawyers can help you to ferret out what is legal, as opposed to what is not, and assist you with any appropriate contacts and correspondence with your employer to achieve your objectives whether through settlement negotiations or legal proceedings (if necessary).
Areas of expertise
How We Can Help
Filing
Complaint
Inquiry
Response
Settlement, Mediation, Conciliation
Administrative Hearings
Harassment?
Harassment in the workplace may take many forms. Basically, it is the act of creating a hostile work environment for an employee, based on that individual’s protected class status. In other words, it is illegal to create a hostile work environment because of the employee’s sex, race, age, disability status, religion and/or other classes that are protected by state and federal law. For this reason, these cases must be carefully evaluated to piece together the motive(s) behind the mistreatment. In the event such conduct is related to a protected class status and rises to a level of being intimidating, hostile, or offensive to a reasonable person, the employer may be liable.
Examples
- Unwelcome or derogatory language aimed at a specific protected class status
- Inappropriate or sexual comments and contacts
- Subjecting an employee to offensive images and text
- Interfering with an employee’s work or isolating an employee at work
- Other conduct that is connected to an employee’s protected class status
Sexual
Harassment
Although sexual harassment can mirror other types of harassment by creating a hostile work environment, it can also be used to extract sexual concessions from an employee. This form of sexual harassment is known as “quid pro quo” harassment. It can take the following forms:
- Promising an employee favorable treatment, such as a raise, a promotion, or perks in the workplace in exchange for a sexual relationship
- Retaliating against an employee for refusing to engage in a sexual relationship with the harasser, which can be done by firing the employee or subjecting him or her to a hostile work environment
- Making a sexual relationship a requirement for promotion or hiring
plan of action
Our
Approach
Our attorneys are available to directly address your concerns, and put our many years of experience to work for you. Though the events and “drama” that arise in the workplace can often be confusing and emotionally taxing, our legal team deals with these matters on a daily basis. We can therefore provide you with a level head, as well as a well-rounded approach.
01
Identify
We quickly identify the root of the specific problem you are facing at work.
02
Explain
We explain clearly where you stand with respect to your legal rights.
03
Disclose
We disclose your options and likelihoods for obtaining a favorable outcome.
We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way
We plead that good legal service starts by alleviating the “ulcer” that comes from not knowing your legal rights, and replacing that with a definitive, smart and practical strategy, moving forward.