The experienced California employment law attorney at the Leichter Law Firm, APC, Aryeh Leichter knows there are a few misconceptions about what constitutes a hostile workplace in California.
Unfortunately, a hostile work environment is not defined by unlikeable habits, routines, or behaviors exhibited by an employer or coworkers. Varying personalities are something most employees must contend with at work each day.
Here is what California employees need to know about proving their work environment is hostile and not simply unprofessional.
What is Considered a Hostile Work Environment in California?
According to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a legitimate hostile work environment must meet certain criteria.
A hostile work environment is defined by behavior that discriminates against a protected group of people based on:
- Age (40 and over)
- Ancestry and National Origin
- Genetic Information
- Marital Status
- Medical Conditions
- Mental or Physical Disabilities
- Military or Veteran Status
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding or Related Medical Conditions
- Race
- Religion
- Sex or Gender, including Gender Identity and Gender Expression
- Sexual Orientation
The legal requirement to identify a hostile work environment requires three factors to be true:
- The coworker or employer’s behaviors create a discriminatory environment;
- The discriminatory environment impacts the affected person’s ability to work; and
- A reasonable person would find the environment intimidating or abusive
If you believe you are being subjected to a hostile working environment, contact the experienced Los Angeles County employment law attorney at the Leichter Law Firm, APC today to discuss your case during a free consultation and to learn how he can help you pursue legal claims against your employer for the unlawful workplace behavior.
How Can the Leichter Law Firm, APC Help Me Prove My California Workplace is Hostile?
To prove you are being impacted by a hostile work environment in California, the Leichter Law Firm, APC Los Angeles employment law attorney will present evidence that the harassment is pervasive, long-lasting, and so severe that the work environment becomes offensive, intimidating, or abusive.
Next, Mr. Leichter will outline and present evidence that his client’s desire or ability to work has been affected because the employer either failed to investigate and address the issue or knew about it and did not adequately intervene.
Often, hostile work environments have crossover legal issues that may include cases for harassment or discrimination, which can be presented during the same legal claim.
You do not have to be intimidated or anxious about going to work each day. Instead, contact the skilled Los Angeles hostile work environment attorney at the Leichter Law Firm, APC today to discuss your case.
Contact the Leichter Law Firm, APC Employment Lawyer in Los Angeles
Aryeh Leichter, the Leichter Law Firm, APC founder, and employment attorney in Los Angeles County, can help you pursue your employer for their unlawful behavior, starting with a free consultation, by calling 818-915-6624 or contacting the firm online today.