Workplace Harassment

Workplace harassment comes in many forms and colors. Typically speaking, harassment can be deemed as any unwelcome, seemingly discriminate and untoward conduct that occurs in the workplace, which any reasonable employee should not have to typically endure. These are just basic guidlines and further examination is necessary in order to fully understand the scope of workplace harassment.

It should be noted that workplace harassment must typically fall into several categories of discrimination, which is based on the following.

Race.
Color.
Religion.
National Origin
Age.
Sex.

Although these are very broad areas of discrimination the laws are very specific what constitutes a case of workplace harassment. The conduct by the offending party must be abusive, intimidating, offensive and be seen as a threat to the continued employment of the person being addressed or by others that are witnesses to the abuse.

Here is what the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) clearly states:

“Offensive conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance.”

Although this seems fairly well defined there are still criteria, which needs to be met. If a racial slur or off-handed remark was made one time then it may not be enough to bring a suit against the person making the statement. There, in most cases, needs to be a documented series of on going abuse, which can be proven and or verified by a witness or by physical proof. In other words if your boss called you a knucklehead because of something you did then that may not be enough to claim any wrong doing on your bosses part. It may not be the most sensitive thing for him to say but you will be hard pressed to win any damages in the court of law.

If there were constant abuse and ridicule on the part of your employer or supervisor then it would be a good idea to start documenting the abusive behavior and find out what your rights are from a legal standpoint.

This can be a very daunting task and for most people the only thing they know to do is to find a good harassment lawyer. The problem is that a good attorney can also be an expensive proposition. If you feel that you are the victim of workplace harassment then thankfully there are places you can go to find out your rights without costing an arm and a leg. Once you have educated yourself then it’s time to take action.

Find out your rights and don’t put up with workplace harassment!

Click Here to find out if you are a victim of workplace harassment.