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Workplace Bullying

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Workplace Bullying & Hostile Work Environment Lawyers

Workplace Bullying Can Leave Damaging Effects and Create a Hostile Work Environment for its Victims.

Workplace bullying can be a form of discrimination and harassment. It occurs when a person within your workplace tries to intimidate or humiliate you, creating a hostile work environment. Federal and state laws prohibit any form of workplace bullying (in-person and online) when it targets a person in the workplace based on certain characteristics. As a victim of workplace bullying, you have a right to work with a discrimination attorney that will help you stand up for your rights.

What is Bullying in the Workplace?

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Workplace bullying is any conduct intended to intimidate, humiliate, or target you to create a reaction. This behavior almost always leads to a hostile work environment. Workplace bullying, when targeting a person’s protected class status, is a form of employment discrimination. It can sometimes be the result of retaliation from an employer and wrongful termination. Other times it is meant as pure intimidation.

Is Workplace Bullying Illegal?

Bullying in the workplace may be illegal, depending on the circumstances. It violates employment discrimination laws when it targets a person based on their specific characteristics (protected classes).

Can Workplace Bullying Occur as Online Sexual Harassment and Discrimination?

Workplace bullying can occur anywhere you work or meet for work-related events. Many employees work remotely. Therefore, workplace bullying can occur online as a form of online sexual harassment and discrimination.

If your employers, coworkers, managers, supervisors, or customers are bullying you online, contact an employment discrimination lawyer to learn more about your rights.

What are Some examples of Workplace Bullying?

Some examples of workplace bullying may include the following:
  • You experience excessive name-calling due to your disability.
  • Your coworker makes targeted jokes towards all Asian employees.
  • Your boss uses profanity or excessively foul language even after you ask him to stop. As a female, you find the language offensive and derogatory towards women.
  • You are the only Muslim employee at work. Your supervisor isolates you intentionally from the group and social work outings.
  • You get fired from work because you complained about excessive name-calling.
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  • You constantly receive praise from your CEO for your work product. However, your customer thinks your age makes you a poor worker and always criticizes your work. No one corrects him or stands up for you. Instead, they remove you from her assignments.
  • Your boss constantly micro-manages your work. He only micro-manages women in the office.
  • Your boss places unrealistic employment and work demands on disabled employees to intimidate them.
  • Your employer ignores your complaints of workplace discrimination. After your third complaint, he demotes you.
  • Your boss encourages your coworkers to humiliate you. He promises them extra vacation days if they do it. You get fired from work when you complain about the harassment.
  • Your coworker cyberstalks your online profile. He calls you on your cell phone (which he got from your social media account) at odd hours of the night. He even threatens to show up at the places you go to be with friends.

Can I Sue My Employer for a Hostile Work Environment Caused by Bullying?

Federal and state laws prohibit bullying based on protected classes. Laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Acts, The Equal Pay Act, The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, The Genetics Information Nondiscrimination Act, The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and more help protect your rights against workplace bullying targeting your specific characteristics. These laws also protect you if the bullying results in you getting fired from work because you complained.

State laws may also prevent workplace bullying based on protected classes. Speak with an employment discrimination lawyer in your state to learn more about your rights under the state laws.

When Should I File a Lawsuit for Workplace Bullying and a Hostile Work Environment?

The laws require you to file your lawsuit within a specific time frame. The statutes of limitations vary, depending on the law related to your claim. However, most workplace bullying claims can get filed with the EEOC. The EEOC requires you to file your claim within 180 days (300 days in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, and Florida). Discuss the tie limits to file your workplace bullying claim with your dedicated employment discrimination lawyer.
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What Type of Settlement Can I Expect for My Workplace Bullying and Harassment Lawsuit?

If you successfully prove the bullying was based on discrimination, you may receive compensation from the court. Some remedies may include:

  • Reinstatement of employment
  • Reimbursement of medical and mental health expenses
  • Attorney’s fees and costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Punitive damages

How Can an Employment Discrimination Lawyer Help My Workplace Harassment Case?

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Workplace harassment requires certain events to be eligible for a legal claim. Your harassment must occur as the result of discrimination based on your protected class status. A trusted discrimination lawyer can help you sort through your case's details to provide a legal argument the court will accept. Beyond drafting your argument, your trusted advocate will immediately begin negotiating a settlement with your employer in your best interest.

They will help you stand up for your rights, whether at the settlement table or in front of a judge and jury.

Speak with Our Compassionate Workplace Bullying and Hostile Work Environment Lawyers Today

Bullying in any environment is hurtful and unnecessary. It can create severe psychological damage as well as physical pain and anguish. If you are affected by workplace bullying, the Derek Smith Law Group’s dedicated discrimination attorneys can help.

Were You a Victim of Workplace Bullying? Did It Lead to a Hostile Work Environment, Termination, or Retaliation? Please Call Us at 800.807.2209 to Learn More About Your Legal Rights.

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