You should be able to go to work and do your job in peace. If you instead have to walk into an environment where you are harassed and treated poorly, that can wear you down after a while. No one should have to deal with that, but what can you do to stop workplace harassment? You may need to talk to an Atlanta employment discrimination attorney from our firm.

What Would Be Considered Workplace Harassment?

Workplace harassment is any form of behavior that is designed to demean, offend, or intimidate you. If you have made it clear that these behaviors are unacceptable and they continue anyway, then this is harassment. The use of offensive jokes, slurs, or threats in person can be considered harassment, but bad behavior on social media or over other types of electronic communications can also be considered harassment.

Harassment is even more unacceptable when it is targeted at someone based on their race, color, age, sex, disability, or religion. These are all protected categories under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This kind of behavior absolutely needs to be addressed and shut down.

Who Can Commit Workplace Harassment?

Most would expect that they have to worry about workplace harassment from their boss, but it is not just direct superiors who can harass workers and create a hostile environment. Harassment can come from:

• A direct supervisor
• Someone else in a position with more power than you
• A co-worker
• Someone who does not actually work at the establishment

It is also important to note that you do not have to be the target of the harassment to express offense at any poor behavior.

How Can I Report Workplace Harassment?

First, you should report any workplace harassment to the company’s human resources department. This starts a paper trail and shows that the company knows that there is a problem. If they ignore the issue and the bad behavior continues, now you may want to step things up.

You can report your employer to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC. This agency can look at the conduct and decide to investigate your employer.

Do I Need an Employment Lawyer?

You are not required to hire an employment lawyer, but it can be helpful to have one on your side. Our attorneys have plenty of experience helping people with cases like these. We can help you fight against discrimination and a hostile work environment.

A lawyer can also help you when you make your report to the EEOC. If your report is incomplete or inadequate, it is unlikely that the agency will investigate your workplace. An attorney can do their best to make your report a compelling one that encourages the EEOC to take action.

Contact Our Law Firm

If you are facing workplace harassment, know that you do not have to fight back on your own. Contact Ben Barrett Law and be ready to hold people responsible for the harm that they have caused.