Learn How a Hostile Work Environment Attorney in West Covina CA Could Help You
Harassment based on gender, ethnicity, national origin, pregnancy status, age, handicap, or religion is illegal in the workplace. All California businesses are required by law to take steps to both prevent harassment from occurring and to put an end to it when it occurs. [Business] can assist you if you require a hostile work environment attorney in West Covina CA.
If you’ve encountered harassment at work and your employer hasn’t taken action to stop it., call us now. To maximize the value of your claim and begin your recovery process, call (800) 435-7542 to speak with one of our recognized lawyers for workplace harassment.
What is a Hostile Work Environment? A Hostile Work Environment Attorney in West Covina CA Explains
Almost everyone will inevitably run into hostile coworkers. But when does hostile behavior at work fall under the legal definition of harassment? It must be established that the behavior was hostile toward a protected class for it to be considered unlawful. Gender, race, national origin, pregnancy, age, handicap, and religion are examples of protected classes.
You must also be able to show 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
Many inappropriate workplace behaviors, such as making obscene or crude jokes, are not serious enough to warrant legal action. Your hostile work environment attorney in West Covina CA is the best person to judge the legality of any specific conduct.
That can include physical hostilities such as physical intimidation, groping, pushing, striking, and other unwanted physical interactions. Off-color jokes, insults, slurs, and other comments that denigrate a protected status or characteristic are examples of verbal problems. And visual harassment using cartoons, drawings, pictures, and posters.
Get Help from a Hostile Work Environment Attorney in West Covina CA If You Have Suffered Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can include things like persistently demanding a date from someone, requesting sexual favors, and many other unwanted sexual actions and behaviors. Sexual harassment has two basic categories: creating a hostile work environment and quid pro quo harassment, which happens when an employer asks for sexual favors in exchange for employee perks.
The First Steps to Take if You Have Been 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.
Victims are required by both federal and California state laws to first exhaust all administrative remedies through the Department of Fair Employment and/or the Equal Opportunity Commission before they can file 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 West Covina CA about your rights and legal options during a free case consultation.