Workplace Harassment Lawyer San Francisco

If you work in California, you are entitled to certain rights under federal and California state laws. One of these rights is to be free from harassment. For various reasons, many California employees are subjected to harassment on a daily basis. Workplace harassment is illegal. It is also bad for morale in the workplace. Employees subject to this type of harassment can hire a workplace harassment lawyer in San Francisco from Minnis & Smallets to pursue compensation for their damages.  You have the right to legal representation if you are a victim of harassment in the workplace. 

Workplace Harassment Defined

Harassment in the workplace is a form of employment discrimination. Harassment is defined as any behavior that is unwelcome or policies that discriminate against employees based on their:

• Race
• Color
• Creed 
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Sex (including pregnancy and maternity status)
• National origin
• Age (40 or older)
• Physical or mental disability
• Genetic information

To constitute workplace harassment, the behavior must create an offensive environment as a condition of your employee, or the offensive conduct is strong enough to make your work environment threatening or hostile. 

Innocent Behaviors Versus Illegal Harassment

Employees should differentiate between behavior that is more of an annoyance as opposed to unlawful harassment. For example, slights or jokes that are not overtly offensive probably do not give rise to unlawful harassment cases. On the other hand, slights, jokes, or other behaviors that make for a hostile work environment that any reasonable person would not be able to tolerate is a reason to contact an experienced workplace harassment attorney in San Francisco.

Other examples of workplace harassment include:

• Verbal harassment including innuendos, slurs, name-calling, threats, intimidation, ridicule, and insults
• Physical conduct, for example, hitting, pushing, groping and other touching
• Supervisor harassment from a boss, manager, or supervisor
• Personal insults such as offensive objects or pictures and any other behaviors that directly inhibit an employee’s work performance

What to do if You are Being Harassed at Work

Knowing what to do if you are being harassed at work is imperative to protecting your rights. Your first step is to utilize your resources. Find out if your employer has an Equal Employment Opportunity officer or an avenue for you to file an internal complaint. If not you, can reach out to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to speak with a counselor about your legal rights. Report any harassment as soon as possible to your supervisor, someone in human resources, or anyone who is designated to handle harassment complaints at work. Your employer may argue that it cannot be held legally responsible if they do not know what is going on. Determine if there is a written policy at work that you need to follow to report harassment.

Are You Ready to Hold Your Employer Accountable? Hire a Workplace Harassment Lawyer in San Francisco

In addition to the above actions, you can contact a skilled Minnis & Smallets workplace harassment attorney in San Francisco to assist you. When you meet with an attorney, they can review your situation and ensure that you are following all the steps you need to in order to stop the harassment and protect your rights.

Contact our experienced employment attorneys at Minnis & Smallets today for your legal consultation.