San Diego Legal

Morris and Associates – San Diego Hostile Work Environment Lawyers

San Diego employment lawyers handle all types of cases and issues that deal with harassment, and not every instance of harassment involves only that which deals with sexual advances.  One of the most common forms of harassment that occurs in the workplace is known as a hostile work environment, which can involve many different forms of conduct.  Anyone who has been subjected to this type of abuse needs to seek the help of experienced San Diego hostile work environment lawyers as soon as possible, and below is a brief introduction to this issue.

What Constitutes a Hostile Work Environment in California?

A hostile work environment involves a situation where an employee is subjected to conduct that treats him or her badly, and this conduct can involve behavior that’s motivated by a person’s gender, race, sexual orientation, country of origin, religion or any other type of classification that’s protected by law.  Generally, the conduct that can lead to a finding of a hostile work environment can vary.

Examples of conduct that could be considered a hostile work environment includes jokes that offend a person because of his or her race, gender or some other quality or out-and-out abusive language and treatment either by another employee or employees or by supervisors.  In order to be able to establish a sound legal claim, someone who has been mistreated in this manner will need to show that the conduct occurred and that those who were in a position to curtail this conduct knew about it and did nothing to correct the situation.

Potential Damages for a California Hostile Work Environment

When someone files a lawsuit in California claiming hostile work environment and that plaintiff proves his or her case successfully, he or she could be in line to recover several forms of damages that are claimed.  Examples of these forms of damages include:

• Lost income – If an employee lost out on a promotion or did not earn his or her usual income because of the mistreatment that constituted a hostile work environment, that lost income can be captured in a damages award.
• Future earnings – If an employee was forced, either outwardly or because the situation was intolerable, to leave his or her job, that employee can recover damages for income that would have been earned.
• Emotional distress – Anyone who suffers through a hostile work environment also suffers an emotional toll that can be compensated for through a verdict.
• Attorneys’ fees – In order to promote the pursuit of valid claims, attorneys’ fees can be recovered with a successful case.

Overall, no one should have to endure the shame, embarrassment or stress of a hostile work environment.  If you or someone you love has been harmed in this manner, contact the San Diego hostile work environment lawyers at Morris and Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation.