Safeguard Your Rights to Prevent Workplace Harassment
Gettysburg College reported that the average person will spend 90,000 hours working in their lifetime. When we spend so much time in the workplace, it’s only natural to expect an environment that supports your career, advancement, and safety. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Instead, people have to worry about protecting their civil rights in the workplace, or risk being the victim of discrimination, harassment, and more.
When many workers find themselves in hostile work environments where harassment is prevalent, it’s crucial that they know how to protect themselves. The hostile work environment attorneys at Barrett & Farahany will help you understand how to protect your civil rights in the workplace and offer practical steps to address harassment effectively.
Understanding Your Workplace Rights and Legal Protections
Your workplace rights are protected by several key laws designed to combat issues like discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment. This includes:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: This act is one of the most significant pieces of legislation, prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This act protects the rights of workers with disabilities throughout America and protects their right to reasonable accommodation in the workplace.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): The ADEA offers further protections for employees in cases of discrimination based on age.
Understanding these rights is crucial for every employee. You have the right to work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. This means that any unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics that make your workplace hostile or abusive is unlawful. Companies are required to enforce zero-tolerance policies to ensure a supportive work environment for all employees.
Legal Protections Against Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment can take many forms, including verbal, physical, and psychological abuse. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines harassment as unwelcome conduct based on someone’s protected characteristics. This can range from offensive jokes and slurs to physical threats and intimidation.
When such conduct becomes a condition of your employment or is severe enough to create a hostile work environment, it’s considered illegal.
Employers are legally obligated to prevent and address workplace harassment. If you find yourself in a hostile situation, and they take steps to address it after it’s been reported, they are legally liable. If they do not, you, as the victim, have options available to you to protect your rights.
One of the first is to seek legal assistance who can help ensure that your workplace remains a safe and supportive environment.
Identifying and Addressing Harassment in the Workplace
Harassment in the workplace can often be subtle and difficult to identify. You can’t expect it to always be overt and in your face. Examples of workplace harassment include:
- Slurs, offensive jokes, and name-calling
- Physical threats or intimidation
- Display of offensive symbols or images
- Unwanted physical contact
If you experience any of these behaviors, it’s important to take action to protect yourself and address the situation appropriately.
Ways to Address Harassment in the Workplace and Protect Yourself
- Understand Your Company’s Anti-Harassment Policies: Familiarize yourself with your company’s policies on harassment. These policies should outline the procedures for reporting harassment and the actions the company will take to address it. If they do not, you can seek legal action.
- Keep Records: Document all instances of harassment with a detailed log of incidents. This will help you utilize your protected workplace rights from your employer. Make sure to include information such as:
- Dates
- Times
- Locations
- Descriptions of the events
- Communications such as emails and texts for example
- Report the Harassment: Report the harassment to your human resources department or a designated department within your company. It’s important to report the incidents as soon as possible to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to address the situation.
How Barrett & Farahany’s Hostile Work Environment Lawyers Can Help
Having a dedicated lawyer can make a significant difference in addressing workplace harassment. Our lawyers at Barrett & Farahany are experienced in safeguarding your civil rights as an employee and ensuring a supportive work environment. If changes are not made in the workplace, we’ll help you get the monetary damages you deserve.
To do this, we can help you gather evidence and file complaints before finally taking legal action against those responsible for the harassment.
Contact Barrett & Farahany For Help Protecting Your Workplace Rights
Protecting your civil rights in the workplace is essential for maintaining a safe work environment. By understanding your rights, recognizing harassment, and taking appropriate action, you can safeguard your career and well-being. Remember that you are not alone, and seeking legal support can provide you with the help you need to protect yourself.
If you’re facing harassment in the workplace, don’t hesitate to contact us at Barrett & Farahany today.
