The Roper Law Firm

Hostile Work Environment Lawyer

Georgia Lawyer providing experienced Hostile Work Environment and Employment Law Attorney services in Columbus Georgia, Columbus-Muscogee County Georgia, and throughout the State of Georgia.

Call 706.596.5353 to discuss your Hostile Work Environment Issues and Employment Law LEGAL needs.

A hostile work environment exists when there are unwelcome comments or conduct based on sex, race or other legally protected characteristics unreasonably interferes with an employee’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Anyone in the workplace may be responsible for committing actions or condoning actions which may lawfully be considered to facilitate a hostile work environment. Those who may be held responsible and potentially liable may include:

  • Management officials;
  • Supervisors;
  • Co-workers;
  • Or a non-employee, such as a contractor, vendor, and under the right circumstances, even a guest.

The victim of a hostile work environment may be anyone who is affected by the conduct, not just the individual at whom the offensive conduct is directed.

Examples of actions that may create sexual hostile environment harassment include:
  • Leering, i.e., staring in a sexually suggestive manner;
  • Making offensive remarks about looks, clothing, body parts;
  • Touching in a way that may make an employee feel uncomfortable, such as patting, pinching or intentional brushing against another’s body;
  • Telling sexual or lewd jokes, hanging sexual posters, making sexual gestures, etc.;
  • Sending, forwarding or soliciting sexually suggestive letters, notes, emails, or images.
Other actions which may result in hostile environment harassment, which are non-sexual in nature, include:
  • Use of racially derogatory words, phrases, epithets;
  • Demonstrations of a racial or ethnic nature such as a use of gestures, pictures or drawings which would offend a particular racial or ethnic group;
  • Comments about an individual’s skin color or other racial/ethnic characteristics;
  • Making disparaging remarks about an individual’s gender that are not sexual in nature;
  • Negative comments about an employee’s religious beliefs (or lack of religious beliefs);
  • Expressing negative stereotypes regarding an employee’s birthplace or ancestry;
  • Negative comments regarding an employee’s age when referring to employees 40 and over; and
  • Derogatory or intimidating references to an employee’s mental or physical impairment;
  • Repeated and unwanted unlawful hazing, intimidation or other actions that causes injury to the victim, makes it impossible or extremely difficult for the victim to perform his or her duties, or causes extreme mental distress to the victim. In this situation, a single incident is not normally adequate to prove a hostile work environment, but generally repeated or common occurrences of harassment must be shown to have existed or are currently still occurring in the workplace.
If you believe you are the victim of a Hostile Work Environment, there are two things you should do:
  1. Begin documenting the actions, policies and witness statements surrounding the events and/or actions in question;
  2. Seek the legal advice and representation of experienced legal counsel to protect your rights, and stand up on your behalf regarding these rights and the potential injustice you may have been subjected to as a result of a Hostile Work Environment.

It is important to note that it is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against you for filing a Hostile Work Environment case against them. For information about unlawful employment retaliation, please click here.

In employment law cases, including Hostile Work Environment cases, if you are successful in your claim, Federal Law provides that your employer may be ordered to pay your attorney fees and court costs.

If you believe you have been the victim of a Hostile Work Environment, contact The Roper Law Firm by calling 706.596.5353 or by using our online case evaluation form.

Attorney, John W. Roper is an experienced Hostile Work Environment and Employment Law Lawyer providing professional legal services in serving in Columbus Georgia, Columbus-Muscogee County Georgia, the Middle and Northern District Courts of Georgia, and Georgia's Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Call CALL 706.596.5353 TO Speak to a Georgia Hostile Work Environment and EMPLOYMENT LAW Lawyer at The Roper Law Firm.

As your Attorney, I will always strive to help Stop Hostile Work Environment Violations and Unfair Treatment in the workplace throughout the State of Georgia and, as Warranted, Elsewhere.