What is a hostile work environment? The federal office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), defines a hostile work environment as a type of harassment which is based on discrimination; e.g., color, race, color, sex, county of origin, age, religion, sexual orientation or disability. It is typically involved activity that prevents or causes an to properly perform a person’s work…
Sexual Harassment:
What is a hostile work environment? Sexual harassment is a prime example of behavior that can create a hostile work environment. Typically public cases of discrimination deal with women being inappropriately propositioned for sexual favors in return or favoritism. However, this type of behavior exists more men also and often goes unreported. This type of behavior can be demonstrated by any worker, not necessarily a manager, and can contribute to a hostile work environment.
Contact a NYC Sexual Harassment Lawyer to know your rights.
Offensive Comments:
As our economy continued to become global we need to take steps to offer a culturally safe work environment. Examples of offensive comments would be inappropriate comments or jokes based on a persons’ culture, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. While one incident is typically not grounds for a case, repeated events can be and should be documented as they occur.
Time Limitations:
Time constraints are based on the type of incident Limitations can vary depending on your specific circumstance. However, some have a relatively short filing window. In some scenarios, it can be as little as forty-five days from when the incident occurs. Time limitations for filing vary based on local or state laws but are often limited by 180 days or 300 days depending on the situation.
Do not delay due to fear of retaliation.
Employer Responsibility:
Most employers are aware of the financial liability and loss of productivity their workers can face as the result of a hostile work environment. As such it is their responsibility to provide the means to report and resolve complaints. Making your claim against your employer is considered by law to be a protected activity. Laws prohibit any retaliation by an employer such as pressure to resign, wage reduction or negative evaluations.
You can read more about the EEOC’s laws regarding discrimination HERE. You can also visit the FCC site on Understanding Workplace Harassment for more information on how to identify sources of a hostile work environment.
A hostile workplace can have a severe emotional impact for those affected. For experienced confidential legal representation contact our NYC Hostile Work Environment Attorneys and request a free consultation.