Learn How a Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Long Beach CA Could Help You
Harassment based on gender, race, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, religion, etc. is not just bad; it’s also against the law in the workplace. Every business in California is required to take all immediate and reasonable steps to prevent harassment from occurring in the workplace. If you are in need of a hostile work environment attorney in Long Beach CA, PLBH is here to help.
If you have faced harassment at work and your employer has not taken the proper steps to put a stop to it, call us. Contact us now at (800) 435-7542 to speak to an attorney who can help you maximize your claim.
Get an Understanding of a Hostile Work Environment from a Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Long Beach CA
Virtually everyone will have to deal with a hostile coworker at some point in their lives. So when does hostile work behavior become unlawful? In order for behavior to fall into the unlawful category, it must be proven that the hostility was toward a protected class. Protected classes include gender, race, national origin, pregnancy, age, disability, and religion.
You must also be able to prove that the behavior was severe and/or pervasive, that it was unwanted, and that it was serious and consistent enough that it made the workplace an intimidating or hostile place.
Not All Unacceptable Behavior Constitutes a Hostile Work Environment
There are many forms of inappropriate workplace behavior that are not severe enough to result in legal action, such as offensive, crude jokes. Your hostile work environment attorney in Long Beach CA will assess your case to determine if illegal behavior occurred.
Illegal activity includes physical activity such as physically intimidating a person, groping them, pushing them, striking them, or otherwise physically touching them. Verbal actions that can be unlawful include making off-color jokes, insulting someone, using slurs against them, or otherwise verbally assaulting someone due to their protected status or characteristic. And visual harassment through the use of cartoons, drawings, photos, and posters.
A Hostile Work Environment Attorney in Long Beach CA Could Help You if You’ve Been the Victim of Sexual Harassment
Sexual workplace harassment includes persistent demands for dates, sexual favors, and other unwanted sexual actions. There are two basic types of sexual harassment, one of which is making a hostile work environment. The other is quid pro quo sexual harassment, in which an employer asks an employee for sexual favors in exchange for benefits.
Learn the First Steps to Follow After Being the Victim of a Hostile Work Environment
Before you can pursue legal action, there are steps you must take to prevent future cases of a hostile work environment. Start by describing and documenting the harassment. Inform management or human resources of your grievance. Do so in writing and in accordance with any applicable workplace policies.
Both federal and California law mandate that harassment victims exhaust administrative remedies through either the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and/or the Equal Opportunity Commission before filing a lawsuit.
Keep a written record of everything, including any witnesses to the behavior, and list all the harassing behaviors you can think of. This direct evidence and details will give credibility to the allegations and may be crucial in helping you recover lost wages, lost benefits, punitive damages, and other compensatory damages. We are here to assist you, so call (800) 435-7542 right away to speak with a hostile work environment attorney in Long Beach CA about your rights and legal options during a free case consultation.