Los Angeles Employment Lawyer

The Hostile Work Environment

If you constantly feel harassed, belittled, wounded or insulted while you’re at work, you are probably experiencing a hostile work environment. According to California law, hostile work environments are illegal. If you are experiencing such an environment, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against your employer.

When people hear the phrase “hostile work environment,” they usually think of sexual harassment. Some actions that create a hostile work environment are the use of lewd language in the work place, displays of pornography or other offensive material, any non-consensual physical contact, or any sexual behavior or language that makes you uncomfortable. Even if the behavior does not directly target you, it still affects your ability to work in peace, making you a victim of harassment.

Hostile work environments are not necessarily sexual in nature. Sometimes they are based on illegal discrimination or simply bullying. If your co-workers are consistently hurtful to you, or if they use offensive terms for your race, gender, religion or disability, then they are creating a hostile work environment. Your employer has a legal duty to address this issue in an effective manner as soon as you report it. If your employer does nothing to fix the situation, or if your employer is one of the people harassing you, you have clear grounds for a lawsuit.

If you are considering a hostile work environment lawsuit, you will need an intelligent, committed lawyer. Contact Los Angeles employment attorney Perry Smith at (888) 356-2529.