If you work in a professional space, then you have probably experienced unkind treatment at one point or another. While a great fuss gets made about workplace harassment, where do you draw the line between actual discrimination and a coworker or superior simply being a mean, bullying person?
The unfortunate news is that workplace bullying is not technically harassment or discrimination. However, if you are a member of some protected classes, like religions, racial minorities or women, you may have a legitimate claim that your experience amounts to harassment.
Whether you think you may have specific legal recourse or not, it is wise to consult with an experienced attorney to examine the nuances of the law and how it may protect you in your circumstances.
Unfortunately, there is currently no state or federal legislature outlawing bullying in the workplace, but that doesn’t mean that you should sit by and suffer. An experienced attorney can help you become familiar with the boundaries of the law and where bullying behavior may cross the line into illegal discrimination. If you experience bullying on a regular basis, there is a strong likelihood that some of the behavior you experience is not legal, or that the bully may cross the line at some point.
Do not wait to reach out to an experienced attorney to learn where the official boundaries lie and how you can keep your rights secure as well as the rights of others you work with. Whether it is technically legal or not, bullying should have no place in the workplace.
Source: FindLaw, “Workplace Bullying,” accessed June 09, 2017