Putting A Stop To Workplace Harassment
Federal law and New Jersey state laws prohibit workplace harassment in many forms. If you have been subjected to harassment at work because of a specific trait that is protected by law, your employer can be held accountable.
You have the right to a safe work environment, free from harassment and intimidation by the owners, supervisors, co-workers and even customers. You have the right to be free from all forms of harassment, including:
- Physical harassment
- Sexual harassment, including unwelcome touching, unwanted advances and other behavior that is severe or pervasive
- Psychological harassment, including the spreading of false rumors, anonymous messages and even dirty looks
- Verbal harassment, including name calling, taunting and the use of epithets or other crude language
If you are being singled out based on a characteristic like your race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religion, nation of origin, color or sex, you may be entitled to compensation. We offer a confidential consultation to explore the merits of your case and your legal remedies.
What Can I Do If I Believe I Am Being Subjected To Discrimination-Based Workplace Harassment?
Being targeted at work because of your race, religion, gender or any other legally protected characteristic is unacceptable. If you are facing such harassment, there are specific legal steps you can follow to help protect yourself and ensure a safe work environment.
- Document everything: Create a detailed record of the harassment to create a piece of tangible evidence. Include dates, times, specific descriptions of incidents and any witnesses present.
- Report the harassment officially: Follow your company’s designated process for reporting harassment. The established procedures to make a formal complaint might involve contacting your manager or the Human Resources department.
- Legal considerations: If your employer fails to investigate adequately or address the situation, you might have a legal claim for a hostile work environment.
- Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member or colleague for emotional support. Employee assistance programs or anti-discrimination organizations can offer additional guidance and resources.
The burden of proof lies with you in demonstrating the harassment. We can use our legal experience in employment law to help you prove the harassment was based on your protected features.
Can Workplace Harassment Claims Be Based On Single Events?
In some cases, even a single incident like racial slurs, sexual assault or propositions can be serious enough to account for a hostile work environment. This is especially true if it involves physical threats or extreme humiliation.
More commonly, hostile work environment claims pertain to a pattern of behavior that occurs repeatedly over time. This could consist of offensive jokes, unwanted physical contact or social exclusion based on your protected characteristics.
No “magic number” of incidents defines a hostile environment. Courts consider the overall seriousness and pervasiveness to determine if the environment became abusive and hostile, even if it’s just one incident.
If you’re unsure if what you are experiencing qualifies as harassment, it is always best to consult with the right legal counsel. We can review your specific legal situation and advise on your legal options and next steps.
Our Employment Law Attorneys Protect Workers From Harassment
The New Jersey workplace harassment lawyers of Costello, Mains & Silverman, LLC, have more than two decades of experience in employment litigation. Based in Mount Laurel, our legal team represents workers from all walks of life in South Jersey and statewide in harassment lawsuits.
While sexual harassment is the most common claim, workplace harassment takes many forms. Our experience helps us identify when an employer is guilty of harassment. We handle cases under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and other state and federal laws, outlawing:
- Racial harassment
- Ethnicity or national origin harassment
- Age harassment
- Sexual orientation harassment
- Perceived sexual orientation harassment
- Transgender harassment
- LGBTQ harassment
- Pregnancy harassment
- Disability harassment
- Military service harassment
- Whistleblower harassment
- Religion and creed harassment
- Familial status harassment
- Workplace bullying
Learn More About Your Employment Law Rights
If the behavior is so bad that you can’t do your job, can’t sleep at night or don’t want to come to work, you need to explore your options regarding a workplace harassment lawsuit. A lawsuit may be the best or only way to make the behavior stop or to hold the offenders accountable. You may also be entitled to monetary damages for the emotional and psychological harm. Our employment law team, led by a certified trial attorney, is well-versed in harassment laws and the legal proceedings. We enable clients to stand up to any employer, from small businesses to major corporations and government agencies.
Contact us online or call 866-944-3371 for a confidential consultation with our New Jersey workplace harassment attorneys.