Hostile Work Environment Lawyer
At some point, almost everyone has experienced hostility at work that may come from a supervisor or colleague. Although the actions may be be inconsiderate or rude, it may not necessarily be illegal. On the other hand, when the behavior or action is motivated by discrimination, harassment because of your age, race, gender, or another protected lass, or in retaliation for reporting an illegal conduct at work, then those actions may be unlawful.
For decades, Mesriani Law Group has stood up for the rights of workers in Los Angeles and throughout California who have been subjected to hostile work environments. Our law firm has the experience, knowledge, and resources to take on employers in employment law cases. If you are a victim of a hostile work environment, contact Mesriani Law Group today at (866) 500-7070 to schedule a free consultation about your abusive workplace claim.
Award-Winning Hostile Work Environment Lawyers
Contact Us Today at (866) 500-7070 or Message Us Online to Schedule a Free Consultation
How Mesriani Law Group Can Help
An employer can create or allow a hostile work environment to exist in many ways. One of the most common forms of a hostile workplace is sexual harassment which can include physical, verbal, or quid pro quo harassment. Other forms of illegal behavior that may exist at a hostile workplace include verbal harassment, physical harassment, racial harassment, sharing of inappropriate material, threatening behaviors, stalking, or discrimination of any kind.
At Mesriani Law Group, we understand how difficult and sensitive your situation can be if you are a victim of a hostile work environment. Not surprisingly, it can be extremely challenging and intimidating to fight your employer on your own. Our law firm can help represent you against your employer while getting you the justice and compensation you deserve. Our hostile work environment lawyers will review each inappropriate act against you or that made you feel uncomfortable, review work reports and documents, and work diligently to prove your claim.
Why Choose Mesriani Law Group?
No Win No Fee Policy
At Mesriani Law Group, we have a No Win No Fee guarantee. You don’t pay us anything if we don’t win your case.
Proven Track Record
Mesriani Law Group was founded in 1996 and since then, it has maintained its outstanding reputation of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for its clients.
Experienced Hostile Work Environment Attorneys in Los Angeles
Rodney Mesriani and his team of highly skilled and accomplished lawyers have over two decades of experience among them and are thoroughly dedicated to fighting for employees forced to work in hostile environments.
Satisfied Clientele
Mesriani Law Group represents clients all over Southern California and has been given the highest ratings as seen in Yelp, AVVO, Google, and alike. Direct communication and superior 0customer service are what our firm is known for.
Multilingual Staff
The firm’s multilingual team also speaks Farsi, Spanish, and Tagalog. Our professional and gracious staff are pleased to answer any queries you may have.
Available 24/7
We are available 24/7 to give consultation over the phone and if our clients are unable to meet at our office, we are amenable to meet you at your convenience.
What is a Hostile Work Environment?
A hostile work environment is where discriminatory actions or behaviors against an individual who is protected from employment discrimination exist. Additionally, these discriminatory actions or behaviors are severe enough to create an intimating or abusive work atmosphere. Victims can find themselves in a hostile work environment when they are being discriminated against because of their age, gender, race, religion, pregnancy status, or disability. A hostile work environment can be created in various ways including:
- Verbal harassment – Including inappropriate comments or jokes, yelling, insulting, catcalls, or asking sexually related questions.
- Physical harassment – Including inappropriate touching or groping, sexual assault, or rape.
- Sharing of inappropriate material – Such as pornography through chat, email, or other messaging platform. Watching pornographic material at work can also create a hostile work environment.
- Threatening behaviors – Including hostile behaviors that intend to inflict pain, injury, or damage to someone else.
- Stalking – Unwelcome conduct or repeated behavior towards a specific person which can cause the person to feel afraid or in danger.
Anyone can have the capability to create a hostile work environment including a supervisor, boss, colleague, or client. Employers are responsible for maintaining working environment where employees feel safe. If not, they can be held liable if they have knowledge of the hostile work environment but refused to act and take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Examples of Behaviors That Create Hostile Work Environments
Several types of behaviors that can contribute to a hostile work environment. The most common types include:
- Sexual comments
- Presence of sexually suggestive pictures or objects
- Discrimination
- Mockery or ridicule
- Gender-based slurs
- Offensive jokes or comments
- Inappropriate touching
- Threats of physical violence
- Any type of physical violence
- Unwanted touching or rubbing
- Racial slurs or insults
- Name calling
- Intimidation
It is important to keep in mind that these behaviors do not have to be aimed directly at an employee to create a hostile work environment.
Am I Working in a Hostile Environment?
Determining whether you are a victim of a hostile work environment can be difficult. Some work environments may be frustrating or difficult but aren’t necessarily hostile and therefore would not qualify for legal action. On the other hand, some victims may not even realize they are working in a hostile work environment.
To file a claim based on a hostile work environment, the offensive behavior must meet the following criteria:
- Disrupts your work – A work environment that is distracting or sometimes annoying isn’t necessarily hostile. But if your mental health is negatively affected by certain behavior or if you fear going into work, you may be working in a hostile workplace.
- Severe, pervasive, and persistent – For a hostile environment to exist, it is not enough to just hear one or two derogatory comments from a colleague. Instead, the behavior must be repetitive or frequent.
- Your employer knew but did not take appropriate action – California employers are required to provide safe working environment for all workers. If an employer knew about the abuse or harassment but failed to take prompt and corrective appropriate actions, they may be held liable.
Your Rights to a Safe Workplace as an Employee
California workers have the right to do their job and earn an income. When a hostile work environment exists, it prevents you from being able to do your job. A hostile work atmosphere not only exists at work, but the stress from the harassment or discrimination also carries over into your personal life. Regardless of your job title or status, no one should have to endure the unlawful discrimination and harassment behaviors at work. If you believe you are working in a hostile work environment, we strongly encourage you to speak with an experienced employment lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can evaluate whether you are a victim of hostile work environment and discuss your legal options.
Laws That Protect You from Hostile Work Environment
In California, workers are protected under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The FEHA provides workers with protection from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in employment. All employment provisions under FEHA apply to all employers with five or more employees. Additionally, the FEHA’s anti-harassment provisions also apply to all employers with one or more employees.
Proving a Hostile Work Environment
To prove that a hostile work environment exists, the following criteria must be met:
- Showing evidence that you are part of a protected class (including race, color, religion, sex or gender, pregnancy, disability, or over the age of 40).
- You are being discriminated against or harassed for reasons that are against employment laws, labor laws, and public policy or for no apparent reason.
- The perpetrator or aggressor is either the employer, a supervisor, or someone in a supervisory position.
- You suffered from physical, emotional, or economic damage because of the hostile work environment.
Protected Classes That Determine Hostile Work Environment
The FEHA has outlined specific traits that are part of a protect class which includes:
- Age
- Ancestry
- Gender
- Gender identity
- Marital status
- Medical conditions
- Mental disability
- National origin
- Physical disability
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
If you have experienced harassment at work based on any of these protected classes, then you may be a victim of a hostile work environment. Contact a Los Angeles hostile work environment attorney as soon as possible to discuss your possible claim.
What Should You Do If You’re a Victim of Hostile Work Environment?
If you have been discriminated against or harassed at work, you should report the hostile work environment to the proper authorities which could be your supervisor or human resources department. If you have already reported the incident but nothing has changed, then you may be eligible to file a hostile work environment claim.
Our hostile work environment attorneys in Los Angeles have years of experience helping California workers who have been mistreated at work. Victims often feel scared, traumatized, and trapped by the mistreatment and discrimination. Every worker has a right to a safe working environment and should not have to feel scared or worried about working in a hostile work atmosphere. If you have already reported the hostile work environment to your employer but the environment has not changed, contact our law firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge that can help you obtain justice and compensation for your damages. We have extensive knowledge about California employment laws and will fight to protect your rights during these challenging times.
What If You Can’t Point to a Specific Hostile Act?
Even if you can’t point to a specific type of harassment or discrimination at work, you may still have a claim against your employer. Many victims mistakenly think that they need to find specific reasons why an employer retaliated against them but that’s simply not true. Victims don’t even have to be a whistleblower (an employee who exposes an illegal activity within an organization).
If you feel that your employer is making it difficult for you to do your job, contact the hostile work environment lawyers at Mesriani Law Group. We can help fight for your rights and protect you against unfair treatment at work. With our knowledge, resources, and experienced legal team, we can prove that there are small things your employer does to make you feel uncomfortable or unwanted at work. Even if you’re not part of a protected class, you can still experience emotional, physical, or economical damage that may entitle you to file an employment claim against your employer.
Victims May Fear Retaliation for Reporting a Hostile Work Environment
One of the most common fears that prevents victims from reporting a hostile work environment is retaliation. Victims often hesitate to report acts of discrimination or harassment at work because they’re afraid they will get fired and lose their job if they report the inappropriate behavior. No one should be forced to continue working at a job where they feel unsafe.
California workers should know that fear of retaliation is a basis for bringing a hostile work environment claim. Our Los Angeles hostile work environment attorneys can help prove that the fear was justified based on things like statements or actions of the abuser, the company culture, or specific actions or inactions by the company’s human resources department.
Protect Yourself from a Hostile Work Environment
Any job seeker knows how difficult it can be to find a good job. And if you’re working hard and doing your job well, you should not have to feel unsafe or forced to quit due to a hostile work environment. Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for all employees. If you are working in an environment where you’re being targeted for unlawful and unnecessary reasons, seek help from a skilled hostile work environment attorney in Los Angeles from Mesriani Law Group. Our attorneys will work diligently to protect your employment rights and make sure your employer is held responsible for their actions.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation. We can determine if you have a basis for a hostile work environment claim and help advise on the best way to legally proceed. We accept clients on a contingency basis, meaning that if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay us anything. Our clients also have peace of mind that they will not have to pay upfront legal fees but can focus on the case at hand. We have successfully helped hostile work environment victims throughout California obtain justice and maximum compensation for their damages. There are strict deadlines to file a hostile work environment claim so don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.
Contact a Mesriani Law Group Hostile Work Environment Lawyer Today
If you have experienced discriminatory actions or behaviors that are severe enough to create an intimating or abusive atmosphere at work, you may have grounds for a hostile work environment claim. We have over 20 years of experience helping clients obtain justice and ensure they receive the fair compensation they deserve– regardless of the circumstances. Our experienced employment attorneys can guide you through these challenging times so your abuser and employer does not get away with their unlawful behavior. If you are ready to seek justice, contact a Los Angeles hostile work environment lawyer at Mesriani Law Group today at (866) 500-7070 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
Contact Us Today at (866) 500-7070 or Message Us Online to Schedule a Free Consultation
Hostile Work Environment Lawyer FAQs
In California, if you work in an environment where inappropriate behavior is pervasive or severe enough to create an abusive work environment, then you may be able to file a claim against your employer. A hostile work environment exists when there are discriminatory actions or behaviors against an individual who is part of a protected class such as age, ancestry, gender, gender identity, marital status, medical conditions, mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Inappropriate behavior is pervasive or severe enough to create an abusive work environment can be considered a hostile work environment. A hostile work environment can be created in various ways including verbal harassment, physical harassment, sexual or racial harassment, sharing of inappropriate material, threatening behaviors, stalking, and discrimination of any kind.
To prove that you work in a hostile work environment, the offensive behavior must meet the following criteria: disrupts your work to a point where your mental health is ne is negatively affected by certain behavior or if you fear going into work; the behavior is severe, pervasive, and persistent; and your employer knew about the abuse or harassment but failed to take prompt and corrective appropriate actions.
Working for a difficult boss or at challenging job does not always necessarily mean it’s a hostile work environment. But if you experienced inappropriate behavior at work that is pervasive or severe enough to create an abusive work environment, then you may have grounds to sue your employer. A hostile work environment exists when there is discriminatory actions or behaviors against an individual who is part of a protected class such as age, ancestry, gender, gender identity, marital status, medical conditions, mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Absolutely No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
Mesriani Law Group has over two decades of experience in protecting victims of personal injury accidents as well as employment and labor law violations in California.
Through our wealth of experience, we understand that the main reason why victims of accidents or of unjust treatment by employers are hesitant to file cases or claim damages against the parties at fault, and this is because of the high legal fees.
In order to resolve this matter and help more people get the best compensation they deserve against the people who caused their injuries, pain and suffering and losses, we decided to offer a No Win No Fee guarantee to all our clients. This means that you don’t have to pay us anything for our top legal services, regardless of the complexities of your claims, if we are not able to provide you with the justice you deserve.
We offer this because we are confident that our experience, expertise and dedication will always translate in getting the maximum compensation you deserve at the swiftest possible time. Call our top personal injury attorneys right away for your personal injury accidents or our best employment and labor law attorneys in California for any employee related concerns and we’ll assure you of nothing but the best legal service and personalized client care you deserve.
What Our Clients Have To Say
“I cannot emphasize enough the level of their professionalism and effectiveness. It was great working with Rodney and the whole team at the Mesriani Law Group. The compensation they got me was more than I expected. I highly recommend them. With the Mesriani Law Group you’ll be in the right hands when you have an accident. They’ll take care of your case like no one else and get the maximum that you deserve.“
“After contacting many different lawyers and law firms to discuss my legal issue, I was lucky enough to come across Mesriani Law Group. They took the time to listen to all the details of my case patiently & kept me updated through out the process on a regular basis. His team was very responsive and accessible both via email and phone. Rodney Mesriani and his team did a fantastic job. Let me add that Cory, Stephan and Brandon were very helpful along the way.
Highly recommend this law firm.“
“My insurance gave me the run around for a horrible car accident I was involved in. I was getting so frustrated until i contacted Rodney and his team. Not only was his staff super professional, they actually cared and followed up with me. My case has been settled and I couldn’t be happier. Hopefully I don’t get into any more accidents but if I do, I know where to go. Thanks for having my back Rodney!!!“
Award-Winning Hostile Work Environment Lawyers
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