San Francisco Harassment Attorney

What Is Workplace Harassment?

Although workplace harassment has been a popular phrase since the 1990s, most people are woefully unaware of what it means to experience harassment in work situations. Luckily, the law provides a clear and concise definition of what constitutes workplace harassment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is tasked with reporting and tracking these cases, references Title VII. Whether it manifests physically or verbally, harassment is unwelcome behavior based on someone’s age, disabilities, race, sex, religion, color, gender identity, nationality, or genetic information. When someone is forced to contend with behavior like this in their workplace on a regular basis, it is considered illegal. If a supervisor harasses an employee in a way that meddles with their salary or stature at a company, that is also unlawful.

Basically, any behavior that would be experienced as hostile—or even abusive—is illegal in American workplaces. However, the application of workplace harassment laws can vary from state to state. What is considered harassment in San Francisco may not be deemed the same in South Dakota.

How Does Workplace Harassment Happen in the Real World?

Lately, the media has focused a great deal on sexual harassment cases in the workplace, which has highlighted a litany of unsavory work situations. While sexual harassment is unfortunately common in work situations, it’s crucial to remember that workplace harassment can also be non-sexual in nature. For instance, if a coworker decides to come up with a racist nickname for a colleague, that is considered workplace harassment. If a supervisor comes in on casual Friday with a T-shirt emblazoned with an offensive message targeted toward a certain race, that would be categorized as workplace harassment as well.

These days, technology is also a medium for workplace harassment. Harassers can be sneaky, sending inappropriate videos through email or instant message. It’s important to note that this can also be deemed harassment—and the more documentation employees collect, the more prepared they’ll be if they choose to meet with a harassment attorney.

How Does the Law Protect Me Against Workplace Harassment?

Whether you’re in San Francisco or Boston, the law is very clear; workplace harassment is illegal. Any workplaces not abiding by this code are violating the law. If you have been considering speaking to a harassment lawyer about the particulars of your situation, you’ll want first to document any instances of harassment that you have experienced. The law is specific, requiring evidence, and you should also be. As an employee, you have the right to perform your job duties without being harassed. If you have been contemplating an exploration of how your legal rights apply to what has been happening to you at work, you will want to take stock of all the details.

First, you should collect any voicemails, emails, or instant messages about your potential harassment case. In past instances, this kind of evidence has had a way of “disappearing” when legal proceedings start. It is up to you to preserve them. Before you speak to a harassment lawyer, remember that you are your own best advocate. For this reason, you will also want to research how officers in your company are trained to respond to hostile work instances and other harassment cases. For example, many employees are urged to go to the human resources department in harassment situations. Follow the protocol and report what you have been experiencing. In some cases, the issue will be addressed after HR has been made aware of it.

However, even though it is within the job parameters of HR professionals to help employees in peril, it is not uncommon for HR to brush off an employee’s concerns, equating them to professional jealousy or problems with authority. There are also many examples in which HR workers have failed to act because the person being reported is their boss as well. This is why the law exists to protect workers. Sometimes, the only way to make a business listen—and address a hostile workplace—is to apply the law and make the company suffer the consequences.

Why Should I Hire a Harassment Attorney?

Companies don’t always take kindly to being reprimanded for harassment in the workplace. Although it may seem counterintuitive, many businesses will retaliate against employees who have reported hostile work environments. This is also illegal. When you’re unable to do your job without being harassed, it’s time to reach out to an attorney who can help you understand the laws and statutes in your specific state. Since many attorneys are willing to perform an initial consultation for free, anyone who’s curious about their own legal standing should contact a lawyer who can help them.

Businesses with hostile work cultures can often get away with the same behavior for years, even decades. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to step up and acknowledge the unfairness. As we’ve seen in recent years, it may take just one person who’s willing to be brave enough to talk to a lawyer. From there, transformation can begin to take place. Many workers will look back upon their employment and bemoan the fact that they didn’t report inappropriate behavior and address it; don’t be one of those people. Speaking with an attorney provides you with the rare opportunity to have your voice heard.