issues

Workplace Harassment

If you’ve been harassed because of your race, gender, disability, age, pregnancy, or family responsibilities, it can damage your well-being, your career, and your sense of safety. Harassment is never OK.

Facing harassment at work can leave you feeling isolated, powerless, and unsure of what to do next. But you have rights, and you deserve a workplace where you are treated with respect.

 

Sometimes harassment is overt: you might face slurs, unwanted comments, or jokes at your expense. Sometimes it’s subtle: being left out, denied opportunities, or judged by stereotypes.

Harassment is Unacceptable

You are protected by federal law from harassment based on disability, gender (including sexual orientation and gender identity), race, pregnancy, family and caregiving status, and age. This includes sexual harassment, and Outten & Golden has a dedicated practice focused on this type of legal matter.

Some jurisdictions go beyond these protected categories and prohibit harassment tied to gender expression, medical history, marital status, and decisions about reproductive health. Some address harassment based on marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, political affiliation, height, and weight.

Many states also have strong laws that not only protect employees but also job applicants, interns, volunteers, and independent contractors. These laws often give people more time to bring legal claims.

We Stand with You

Harassment can come from anyone—supervisors, coworkers, clients, or others connected to your job. It can happen in person or online, at the workplace or offsite.

Your employer is required to prevent and address harassment. Ignoring harassment is not OK, and neither is responding in a superficial or ineffective way that fails to address the problem.

You don’t have to face this alone. We can help you think about what to do to help you protect your job and yourself.

Framing the Issue

  • Victims of sexual harassment often don’t report it. Whether they think doing so won’t improve the situation or that pointing a finger could cause more harm, harassment can make it difficult to feel safe or respected at work. 
  • A survey of LGBTQ+ workers finds taking steps to protect yourself from harassment takes a toll. It’s hard to feel like you belong and can thrive at work when you are constantly thinking about how to stay safe. 
  • You’re not alone if you’ve felt sidelined at work because of your age. AARP research finds that nearly two-thirds of adults over 50 have been treated unfairly or seen it happen to someone else. 
  • Prejudice and hostility based on a combination of social identities—race and gender, for example—causes unique harm. Intersectionality means you’re a complex blend of experiences, backgrounds, and characteristics.
  • Harassment can take a serious toll on your career and your livelihood. You may choose to leave a job to avoid it, which can limit your financial security and limit your career growth. 

Notable Matters

  • Represented female employees and patients of a medical practice who were sexually harassed by a doctor, resulting in a multi-million dollar recovery for our clients. The provider stopped practicing in the state a short time later.
  • Secured a settlement for a transgender federal government employee who transferred to escape harassment and was subjected to more harassment and discrimination in her new office. The recovery included several hundred thousand dollars and an agreement by the agency where she worked to revise its policies.

Has this happened

to you?

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Have you been mocked, insulted, or targeted because of your age, race, gender, or disability?

If you think you’re being mistreated at work, we’re ready to stand up for your rights.

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