Workplace harassment can create a toxic environment, affecting employees’ well-being and a company’s overall health. There are several forms of harassment, but the four most common types include sexual harassment, racial harassment, bullying, and disability harassment. Each of these types of harassment involves inappropriate behavior that creates a hostile, intimidating, or abusive work environment for the victim. If you have been a victim, contact a Los Angeles, CA workplace harassment lawyer from Seber Bulger Law to find out your legal options.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is one of the most well-known and pervasive forms of workplace harassment. It involves unwelcome and inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with an individual’s work environment. Sexual harassment can occur in various forms, including:
- Verbal: Making sexually explicit comments, jokes, or propositions.
- Physical: Unwanted touching, kissing, or physical advances.
- Non-verbal: Displaying sexually suggestive materials, such as pictures, or making lewd gestures.
Sexual harassment is illegal under U.S. federal law, specifically Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment. Victims of sexual harassment can file complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or pursue legal action against the harasser or employer.
Racial Harassment
Racial harassment is unwelcome behavior based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, or national origin. It includes derogatory comments, slurs, stereotypes, or offensive jokes based on racial characteristics. Racial harassment may involve physical intimidation or exclusion from workplace activities or opportunities. This type of harassment creates a discriminatory environment and is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Examples of racial harassment include:
- Name-calling or racial slurs.
- Mocking someone’s accent or culture.
- Displaying racially offensive symbols or images.
Racial harassment can have a severe emotional and psychological impact on victims, and companies are legally obligated to take action to address it.
Bullying (Workplace Bullying)
Workplace bullying refers to repeated, intentional mistreatment of an employee, typically by a superior, coworker, or a group of individuals. Unlike other types of harassment, bullying is not always tied to protected characteristics like sex or race, but it can still create a hostile work environment. Bullying may include:
- Verbal abuse: Insults, belittling, or humiliation.
- Exclusion: Intentionally leaving someone out of meetings, conversations, or social activities.
- Threats: Implied or explicit threats regarding job security or personal safety.
- Overwork or unrealistic expectations: Deliberately overwhelming the victim with excessive work demands.
While workplace bullying is not always explicitly covered by harassment laws, many states and companies have policies to address it. Bullying can lead to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression for the victim, as well as a decline in work performance.
Disability Harassment
Disability harassment involves treating an employee unfairly due to their physical or mental disability or perceived disability. This form of harassment includes mocking, belittling, or excluding someone based on their disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employees are entitled to reasonable accommodation and protection from discrimination or harassment due to their disability.
Examples of disability harassment include:
- Ridiculing or making jokes about someone’s disability.
- Denying reasonable accommodations or making an employee feel inferior due to their condition.
- Creating a hostile or unsafe environment for employees with disabilities.
Harassment due to disability is illegal, and employers are required to provide a reasonable, accessible work environment for employees with disabilities. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences.
Let Our Firm Advocate For You
Workplace harassment can have severe consequences for employees, leading to decreased morale, productivity, and even physical and mental health issues. Employers must take proactive steps to prevent and address harassment, ensuring a safe and respectful work environment for all employees. Workers who experience harassment should feel empowered to report the behavior and seek legal recourse if necessary. If you have been a victim, call Seber Bulger Law to find out what legal recourse you may have.