New York Hostile Work Environment Attorney
Holding Employers In The TriState Area Accountable
A hostile work environment exists when an employee of a company or organization experiences discriminatory workplace conduct or harassment so pervasive and so severe that the employee is fearful of going to her or his workplace for fear of being:
- Offended
- Intimidated
- Being exposed to such an oppressive work atmosphere due to the behavior of the harasser
A hostile work environment is also one of two ways that may establish a sexual harassment claim. In addition, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 helps to protect employees from workplace discrimination in employment settings of 15 or more people.
Our hostile work environment attorney here at the Law Offices of Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP may be able to help you if you feel you may be exposed to a hostile work environment or if you want to understand more about your rights.
Have you experienced discriminatory workplace conduct? Call Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP today at (646) 490-0221 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our hostile work environment lawyer in New York!
What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?
Not all abusive behavior is "actionable." You may not always "have a case," even if your work environment is unpleasant or difficult. Instead, discriminatory behavior motivated by any of the bases of discrimination covered under Title VII that is so severe or so pervasive that it creates a hostile working environment violates the law.
A workplace environment becomes "hostile" for purposes of Title VII employment discrimination claims when the workplace environment is such that the victim feels:
- Intimidated
- Ridiculed
- Insulted to the point that the person's job performance is affected by such an abusive work environment
What Constitutes a Toxic Work Environment?
Whether a working environment is sufficiently hostile must be determined by an objective standard, as viewed by a reasonable person, and a subjective measure, considering the victim's perception.
Because the law does not recognize every unpleasant workplace as a hostile environment, the court evaluates an employer's conduct in the context of all the relevant circumstances.
Suppose a jury could find the conduct to have the effect of poisoning the working relationship and the environment to such a degree that the employee cannot properly focus on his or her duties. In that case, a hostile workplace could be said to exist.
Relevant factors in evaluating whether harassing or offensive conduct has reached the level of a hostile environment may include but are not limited to:
- The severity of the conduct
- If such behavior was threatening or intimidating, physically
- The frequency of the repetition of the conduct
- The hostility and/or patent offensiveness of the conduct
- The context of the harassing conduct
- Whether it unreasonably interfered with an employee's work performance
- The propriety of management's response upon learning of the harassment by taking prompt remedial action reasonably calculated to end the offensive conduct
Can I Sue My Employer for Creating a Hostile Work Environment?
To have grounds to sue your employer for creating a hostile environment, you must be able to prove that you were subjected to offensive and unwelcome conduct that ultimately affected your working conditions. Legally, you will only be able to have a confirmed case if your employer discriminated against you based on a protected characteristic such as race or gender. Yelling at you all day would not be characterized as discrimination, and the court would not rule in your favor.
Contact Our Hostile Work Environment Lawyer Today
Courts will consider in totality any or all of these and other factors and circumstances to determine whether conduct by your employer, coworkers, or supervisors was sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute a claim of a hostile work environment. Therefore, if you believe your employer is maintaining a hostile work environment that interferes with your work performance, you may wish to consult with an attorney to determine whether you have a viable claim. The Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP lawyers have the experience and expertise to help you, and we will be pleased to meet with you to discuss your concerns.
Contact Schwartz Perry & Heller LLP today to schedule a FREE consultation with our New York hostile work environment lawyer!
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