Philadelphia Attorney On Hostile Work Environment

Representing Pennsylvania's Workforce Since 1991

Employee Rights Lawyer Located in Chester County Who Represents Workers With Hostile Work Environment Claims

Questions?  John will spend 5-10 minutes with you discussing your current work situation, your disability/FMLA leave, your non-compete agreement, your wage claim, your unemployment claim or your potential lawsuit at no charge to you.  Call 610-647-5027.  John is usually available 24/7.

You may also Click Here to e-mail John directly.

What is the Legal Definition of a Hostile Work Environment in Pennsylvania?

One of the most common laments we hear is a "I work in a hostile work environment!" Often, the employee feels that he/she is being treated unfairly or differently than other employees. However, not every unpleasant work situation is illegal.

Protect Only Employees Subjected to ILLEGAL Hostile Work Environments  

There is a big difference between a lawful hostile work environment and an unlawful hostile work environment! Since nearly every state in America is an "employment at will" state, the first thing you need to know is that you can be fired for any reason, unless it is either an illegal discriminatory reason (i.e. you are fired for something beyond your control such as your age, race, sex, national origin, handicap, etc.) or a retaliatory reason (i.e. you are fired because you had complained about being treated in an illegal discriminatory fashion or because you engaged in some other legally protected action (i.e. complained about sexual harassment, filed a workers' compensation claim, sought Family and Medical Leave, sought overtime to which you believed you were entitled, took jury duty, etc.)

I am Being Bullied at Work - is that an Illegal Hostile Work Environment?

Unfortunately, there is no legal protection if you are fired because of a personality conflict, or because management simply prefers a co-employee more than you, or because your boss does not like your shoes. These things may be unfair, they may be morally and ethically repugnant, but they are not illegal.

NOT Illegal Under State or Federal Laws

So what is a"hostile work environment" as that term is used in legal circles? It describes a work environment that promotes and/or unreasonably permits discrimination against a particular employee or class of employees because of his/her/their age, race, sex, national origin, disability, religion, etc.

NOTE:  See Horrible Bosses: Boss Tells Woman to Forget About Daughter at Work "Because She's Dead."  Does such a callous statement give rise to a hostile work environment claim?

An Employee Who is Being Treated Differently or Unfairly BECAUSE OF His/Her of Race, Sex, Age, Disability, Pregnancy, Religious Beliefs or National Origin is the Victim of an Illegal Hostile Work Environment

Common examples of a hostile work environment would be where the employer permits the pervasive use of language or non-verbal expression that is hostile to persons of certain protected classifications. Such conduct often forms the basis for a claim of Sexual Harassment or Title VII Discrimination.

Mistreatment BECAUSE of Employee's Age, Sex, Race, Religious Beliefs, Disability, etc. is UNLAWFUL...

Another example of actionable misconduct is where the employer engages in Retaliation after after an employee registers a complaint to management or to a state or federal authority concerning any state or federal employment law, such as those laws making sexual harassment illegal, or those relating to as Overtime claims, Discrimination, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Sarbanes-Oxley , etc.

...as is Being Mistreated After Formally Complaining About Alleged Unlawful Discrimination

Do you believe you are being discriminated against, treated unfairly, being subjected to a hostile work environment? We help people in Southeastern Pennsylvania with such situations everyday. Sometimes we help them keep their jobs. Sometimes we help them get freed of a terrible work situation and get them on unemployment. Sometimes, we sue their employers for illegal work practices.

Call 610-647-5027 to Discuss Your Ongoing Work Situation
at No Charge (15 Minutes maximum)

Philadelphia-Area Employment Discrimination Law Firm 

                         Representing Employees

John A. Gallagher is an employment lawyer who represents claimants in Pennsylvania. 

John typically represents workers who need an employment lawyer in Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, Berks County and Lancaster County.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Employment Attorney Provides Free Telephone Consultations (15 Minutes in Duration)

If you are looking for an unemployment lawyer, and live in Paoli, Exton, Phoenixville, Downingtown, Coatesville, West Chester, Newtown Square, Nether Providence, Springfield, Aston, Broomall, Marple, Villanova, Lansdowne, Wayne, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Glenolden, Havertown, Haverford, Limerick, Oaks, Lower Merion or any of their surrounding towns, feel free to send me an e-mail or give me a call.  I am always glad to spend some time with people via a free telephone consultation.

Need an Experienced Employment Lawyer in Pennsylvania? 

Click Here if you have questions about any aspect of employment law, from wrongful termination, to wage and overtime claims, to discrimination and retaliation laws, to Family and Medical Leave…

Click Here if you have questions about any aspect of Pennsylvania Unemployment Law, from willful misconduct, to voluntary quit, to Referee Hearings, to severance issues…

Click Here to e-mail John directly; Mr. Gallagher has handled hundreds of Referee Hearings throughout Pennsylvania.

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