What is a Hostile Work Environment?

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Unfortunately, many employees throughout the country find themselves in hostile work environments. Whether you are being harassed by an employer, co-worker, or another person at your place of work, you must continue reading and reach out to our experienced Chesterfield County hostile work environment attorney to learn more about what makes a hostile work environment and how our firm can help if you are caught up in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What qualifies as a hostile work environment?

Most of us can tell when something isn’t right in any given environment. When a place gives you a bad feeling, it’s usually for a reason. Unfortunately, at times, we can get this feeling in the workplace. That said, for a work environment to be considered hostile in the eyes of the law, there must be evidence of persistent harassment. Typically, one “joke,” no matter how rude or off-color, will not qualify as harassment. There must be a pattern of inappropriate behavior for it to be considered harassment. For example, repeated unwanted sexual advances from an employer or co-worker should be considered sexual harassment. No one should ever be made to feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or threatened in the workplace.

What should I do if I am being harassed in the workplace?

If you are being harassed in the workplace, it is critical that you do not wait to take action to stop the unwanted behavior. First, you should report the harassment either to your Human Resources department or to your supervisor. If you’ve reported the harassment to either/both of these parties and the harassment still persists, or if the harassment is coming from your supervisor him/herself, you should reach out to a competent Midlothian employment attorney. Though your employer may not always look out for your best interests, we do. Our firm can assess your situation and determine whether you have a valid claim against your employer.

CONTACT OUR VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY

At Passero Employment Law, we understand it is difficult to confront problems in the workplace or face litigation. With that in mind, we take a solutions-oriented approach to our representation – focusing on the right process and the right solution for each of our clients. If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Virginia, you can count on Passero Employment Law to effectively represent your interests. If you would like to discuss your matter, please contact Passero Employment Law today.

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