NYC Job Harassment Attorneys

at Akin & Smith provide representation in cases of discrimination and harassment at work.  Our legal advisers can help you identify and respond to workplace harassment.  Akin & Smith harassment lawyers outline what you should know about employer harassment in cases of race or ethnicity, gender, pregnancy or maternity, religion or age.

Harassment and discrimination in the workplace

should not be tolerated and smart companies develop effective policies that address worker complaints or grievances. Still, employee harassment can still occur at work. What qualities distinguish employment harassment?

Workplace harassment can take a variety of different forms:

• Racial harassment: Harassment of a racial or ethnic variety occurs when an individual is targeted because of their race or ethnicity. Forms of harassment can include offensive language or actions specifically intended to make the individual feel degraded because of their race or ethnicity.
• Gender harassment: Harassment that is gender or sexual orientation-based involves unwanted words, actions, or gestures of a sexual nature that make the individual feel uncomfortable. In cases of sexual harassment, the perception of the victim that they are being sexually harassed is the determining factor rather than the intentions of the harasser.
• Pregnancy or maternity harassment: It is now unlawful to discriminate or harass a worker based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Women affected by pregnancy must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees with similar abilities or limitations.
• Religious harassment: Individuals face religious harassment if psychological or physical harassment is used against a person because the specific religion they practice. At times, this can occur alongside harassment because of ethnicity.
• Age harassment:  Federal law protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employee harassment based on their age. The legal protections prohibit harassment against a person because of his or her age with respect to any condition or privilege of his or her employment.

In ones workplace or place of employment, harassment laws and policies exist to protect employees from offensive words and conduct that create a hostile work environment. If you feel like you’ve been the victim of workplace harassment and your employer has not been responsive at addressing the behavior, contact the Akin & Smith NYC law offices and we can advise you about your options.