Types of Workplace Harassment to Watch Out For

Types of Workplace Harassment to Watch Out For

The workplace should be a safe environment, free from harassment and abuse of any kind. However, many workers in the United States suffer from sexual harassment, racial discrimination, size discrimination, and other types of abuse in the workplace. If you believe you have been a victim of workplace harassment, consider the following types of workplace harassment to watch out for.

Sexual Harassment

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) makes it illegal for anyone in the workplace to suffer from sexual harassment. Some of the types of behaviors that rise to the level of sexual harassment in the workplace may include the following:

• Rude or lewd comments or actions
• Unwelcome physical contact in any form
• Sexual advances, either between co-workers or between management and employees (in some cases, this may include the promise of advancements or promotions)
• Displayed offensive pictures (even if these are in the private areas of other employees’ cubicles or work areas)
• Lewd or sexually offensive communications or texts
• Sexually charged or offensive comments in the workplace, even if they are not directed at you, personally.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act also prohibits any kind of harassment or discrimination in a workplace against any LGBT workers, based on their gender or sexual identity.

Racial Harassment

No employer has the right to discriminate or allow any kind of harassment based on a person’s ethnicity or race. Even if the harassment comes from other employees and not management, management has a responsibility to ensure the protection of all of their employees. Similar to the sexual harassment examples above, any type of rude or racist comments, actions, or communications are illegal in the workplace.

Other Types of Harassment in the Workplace

There are many other types of harassment that can occur in the workplace against the following:

• Older employees (protected under The Age Discrimination in Employment Act)
• Employees with a mental disability, medical condition, or pregnancy
• Employees who have military and/or veteran status
• Employees who are considered “whistleblowers” because they reported illegal activity of the employer or other workers in the workplace.

Contact an Employment Attorney

If you suffered harassment in the workplace, you have the right to determine whether the harassment rises to the level of an illegal act. While some actions in the workplace may feel uncomfortable (teasing, joking, etc.) they may not rise to the level of actual harassment under the law. However, if you are in a protected class under either Federal or State law, you have the right to seek justice and possibly compensation for your suffering.

If you feel you experienced harassment or even discrimination as an employee at your place of employment, consider visiting with an experienced employment attorney at the Law Offices of Jeremy Pasternak at 415-373-1287 or online today. We would welcome the opportunity to visit with you about all of your possible options, and help you get the justice you deserve.