San Bernardino Harassment Attorney

Dealing with workplace harassment can be devastating. Not long ago, employees put up with harassment because they had to in order to keep their jobs. Over the years, state and federal lawmakers have created new protections for employees. If you were harassed in the workplace, you have legal options available. Through the help of a harassment attorney, you can file a claim and seek the compensation you deserve.

How Workplace Harassment Works

Workplace harassment is a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as well as other federal regulations. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), harassment is some kind of unwelcome physical or verbal behavior. To be considered harassment, this behavior must happen because of the person’s color, sex, race, pregnancy status, gender identity, age, gender, mental disability, physical disability, religion, nationality or genetic information.

This kind of harassment can happen to residents in San Bernardino and to workers across the country. Offensive conduct like this is against the law if someone must put up with it to keep their job or if it makes the workplace hostile, abusive, or intimidating. Each state may also have additional laws about harassment. In California, employers are legally required to take steps to correct and prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliatory behavior at work.

Types of Workplace Harassment

Harassment can happen in many forms. Sometimes, it is a slur or a dirty name. It may be a physical assault, offensive jokes, insults, intimidation, offensive pictures, or threats. The harassment does not have to occur between just a boss and an employee. A co-worker, a non-employee, or a supervisor in another department can be responsible for the harassment. The person who files the claim does not even have to be the target of the behavior. If someone else is affected by the harassment, they can file a legal case.

How You Are Protected Against Workplace Harassment

A workplace harassment lawyer can help you determine if a local, state, or federal law was broken. No matter where you live in the country, you are protected through Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employees are also protected through the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.

If you live in San Bernardino or other cities within California, you are protected through other laws through the state. When you file a harassment complaint at work or participate in the investigation of someone else’s claim, the state’s laws protect you from being harmed or retaliated against by your employer. This retaliation may consist of things like a demotion, loss of a promotion, wrongful termination, or another form of discipline.

Employees receive a number of protections through the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Employers are not allowed to harass employees or retaliate against them. Other laws like the California Family Rights Act protect employees from harassment when they ask for leave under the act.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Harassed at Work?

If you are dealing with workplace harassment, make sure to write down and record each incident. This written record allows you to document everything you have experienced and may help if your case goes to court. Include information like who was involved, what happened, when it happened, and how your workplace responded.

You should also make sure to report the harassment to your supervisor or the human resources department. Make sure to submit this report in writing. If your reports of harassment do not result in changes at your workplace, you may also want to talk to a harassment lawyer to see what your options are.

Why Should You Hire a Harassment Attorney?

A harassment lawyer can help you get justice and find out your legal options. State and federal laws protect employees from being harassed at work. If your employer is unable or unwilling to correct the problem, you may need extra help. Unless you are a part of a union, you are fairly powerless against your employer. Through an attorney, you can get the help you deserve.

An attorney knows what it takes to file your legal case, find evidence, and interview witnesses. Navigating the legal system can be a challenge, and you need to file each document on time to build your case. With the help of a harassment attorney, you can make sure that you get the compensation and fair outcome you need.