Is Your Work Environment Hostile?
For a workplace to be considered hostile in the eyes of the law, an employee must endure constant harassment that is directed toward one or more protected classes as defined by law. In other words, the harassment must be based on one’s race, gender, religion or age. Poor treatment of an employee by a co-worker who simply does not like the employee is not necessarily illegal. At Sterling Employment Law, our hostile work environment lawyers in Detroit help victims who have had to endure repeated workplace harassment.
If you feel you are being subject to constant harassment in your workplace, speak with our attorneys as soon as possible. Contact us at 248-633-8916 to schedule an appointment to discuss your case.
Sexual Harassment Can Result in a Hostile Work Environment
Sexual harassment that creates a hostile work environment must result in a situation where the victim feels uncomfortable because of his or her sex. The harassment does not have to involve demands for sexual favors, it just must create an uncomfortable and offensive environment.
The mere repeating of sexual jokes between two employees does not necessarily create an offensive work environment. However, if one employee repeatedly tells another employee sexual jokes that the employee finds offensive, it may create a hostile work environment based on sexual harassment. The same applies to pictures, touching, staring and unwanted requests for a date. A hostile work environment due to sexual harassment can victimize both men and women.
Religious Discrimination and Race Discrimination Can Make a Work Environment Unbearable
When it comes to national origin and religious discrimination, the courts do not make much of a distinction between harassment and discrimination. That is, where one finds discrimination, one is likely to find harassment.
To rise to the level of a hostile workplace, the harassment and discrimination must be severe and pervasive. For example, the repeated use of derogatory words or ethnic slurs may create a hostile work environment. These determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. Our attorneys will thoroughly review your situation to see if you have a strong hostile work environment claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hostile Work Environments
Do you believe that you are in a hostile work environment but are not sure? Do you want to learn more about your legal rights and how you can respond to a hostile work environment? Let us help you. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are some common examples of a hostile work environment?
A hostile work environment comes in many forms, but they all include incidents that are seen as offensive, unwelcoming, or inappropriate and they target protected characteristics, such as an employee’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age or disability.
Inappropriate conduct may be used to intimidate, threaten or offend employees. Some examples of inappropriate workplace actions include verbal attacks, physical attacks or sexual harassment. Any type of hostile action can affect an employee’s well-being, decrease productivity and threaten a worker’s employment.
Our attorneys can help clients facing workplace harassment explore their legal options.
What laws protect employees from hostile work environments?
Employees have certain rights against hostile work environments. The targeted harassment of an employee’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age or disability violates their legal rights. In addition to discrimination protection, employees are also protected from sexual harassment.
Employees are also protected from retaliation. Retaliation may be discriminatory or to protect a business’s reputation from sexual harassment or whistleblowing claims.
What’s needed to prove a hostile work environment?
For a successful hostile work environment claim, employees may need supporting solid evidence. This evidence can come in several ways, including:
- Reports of harassment or discrimination against managers
- Documentation of texts, emails, video recordings or phone calls
- Testimonies from other employees
Our attorneys can help clients gather evidence to support their claims and fight for their rights.
What are the legal remedies for a hostile work environment?
Employees have a right to take legal action if they are experiencing a hostile work environment. A successful claim can help prevent further hostile actions from liable parties and compensate victims financially with the appropriate damages. Our experienced lawyers can help victims seek justice against liable parties.
Contact Our Attorneys
If you have endured bullying at work or have otherwise been victimized by a hostile work environment in Michigan, talk to our attorneys. Contact us online or call 248-633-8916 to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your situation.