What makes it illegal to harass someone in the workplace?

To constitute illegal workplace harassment, conduct must create an environment that “would be intimidating, hostile, or offensive to reasonable people.” (Source: EEOC) Victims of illegal harassment include, but are not limited to the person harassed in the workplace.

Can a co-worker be a harasser at work?

Harassment in the workplace can come from a co-worker, supervisor, or even someone who is not an employee of the company, such as a customer, client or vendor. In fact, the victim of harassment at work doesn’t even have to be the recipient of the harassment, but can be anyone who is exposed to it and feels offended by the harasser’s conduct.

What should I do if I feel harassed at work?

Employees may be reluctant to report incidents. Employers need to recognize signs of distressed employees and act on them. If employers are learning anything from the headlines today, it should be to pay attention to their employees and keep an eye out for any signs of harassment.

Can you sue your employer for workplace harassment?

Filing a lawsuit against your employer for workplace harassment requires you to make very important decisions, such as where, when, and how. Talking to a lawyer will help you better understand your workplace rights and assess the strength of your claims in court. What is the Employer’s Responsibility in Preventing Workplace Harassment?

Is it possible to be harassed at work?

Employees can be harassed in a variety of ways at work. While sexual harassment garners most of the attention, many non-sexual types of harassment can, and do, often occur on the job.

When does harassment become a condition of employment?

Harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.

When to report workplace harassment to your employer?

Employees should also report harassment to management at an early stage to prevent its escalation. The employer is automatically liable for harassment by a supervisor that results in a negative employment action such as termination, failure to promote or hire, and loss of wages.

Who is the harasser in a harassment case?

The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a supervisor in another area, an agent of the employer, a co-worker, or a non-employee. The victim does not have to be the person harassed but can be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.