Hostile Work Environment

What is a hostile work environment?

Hostile work environment addresses discriminatory behavior that goes beyond the occasional bad manners or rude comment. A hostile work environment can be created when an employee is subjected to repeated, unwelcome harassment by a supervisor, a co-worker or a customer.

The harassment can take many forms. It may be sexual behavior that occurs through the presence of demeaning or sexual photographs, conduct, jokes or threats. It may have to do with the worker’s religion, gender, age, physical ability, race, national origin, family status or sexual preference.

A hostile work environment may be promoted through written or verbal jokes, images, touching, bullying or other overt or subtle forms of intimidation that make the workplace offensive to the employee.

In some cases, if an employee complains, or reports the harasser, the employee will be fired. California law specifically protects employees against such retaliatory actions and the employee may be eligible to recover lost wages, among other protections.

Are you employed in a hostile work environment?

If your work situation has been make untenable due to the harassing words or actions of other people in your workplace, it may be time to discuss your options with a knowledgeable California labor law expert. Foley Lyman Law Group brings years of expertise and wins to the table.

Contact Foley Lyman Law Group LLP