Thursday, January 10, 2008

Philadelphia Attorney On Hostile Work Environment


Employee Rights Lawyers Who Represent Workers With Hostile Work Environment Claims

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.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER ARTICLES YOU MAY FIND WORTHWHILE:

HERE ARE SOME OTHER ARTICLES YOU MAY FIND WORTHWHILE:

What is an ILLEGAL Hostile Work Environment? Workplace Bullying Alone is Not Illegal in Pennsylvania

#MeToo - The Rules and Deadlines for Sexual Harassment Claims in Pennsylvania - A List of Most Famous Sexual Predators

Why is it Important to File an EEOC Charge? How to File Discrimination Claims in Pennsylvania? Time Limits to File Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment and Retaliation Charges in Pennsylvania

Employee Complaints and Retaliation - What is Legal and What is Illegal

What Are the Differences Between the Anti-Discrimination in Employment Laws Title VII and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act?

How Do Federal, State and Local Anti-Discrimination Laws Work Together to Protect Pennsylvania Workers?

Does My Pennsylvania City, County, Township or Borough Have Any Discrimination Laws Protecting Employees?

FILING A CHARGE OF DISCRIMINATION IN PENNSYLVANIA - A FEW TIPS FROM CONTINGENT FEE LAWYERS

The Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance Makes it Illegal to Engage in Workplace Discrimination Because of Sexual Identity, Sexual Preference, Status as Domestic Abuse Victim, Marital or Familial Status, Ethnicity or Ancestry

Employed "At Will":  What Does That Mean? Pennsylvania Contingent Fee Lawyers Explain the Most Important Employment Law Principle

United States Employment and Discrimination Laws - An Overview by Pennsylvania Employment Lawyer

Do I Have a Case for Constructive Discharge? Nearly 50% of People Who Are Unemployed Quit Their Job - Pennsylvania Contingent Fee Employment Lawyers

Are Settlements in Discrimination Cases Subject to Taxes? Pennsylvania Contingent Fee Discrimination Lawyers

Is Your Boss a Bad Person - or Just a Bad Boss? Is Bullying at Work Illegal? Pennsylvania Contingent Fee Employment Lawyers Explain

UPDATE on Recent and Pending Discrimination Matters Pertaining to LGBT-Rights from SCOTUS and EEOC

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Mediation Program Designed to Resolve and Settle Employee Discrimination Complaints

Contingent Fee Discrimination Wrongful Termination Discharge Lawyers in Philadelphia Area

Do I Have a Case for Constructive Discharge? Nearly 50% of People Who Are Unemployed Quit Their Job - Pennsylvania Contingent Fee Employment Lawyers

Are Settlements in Discrimination Cases Subject to Taxes? Pennsylvania Contingent Fee Discrimination Lawyers

Is Your Boss a Bad Person - or Just a Bad Boss? Is Bullying at Work Illegal? Pennsylvania Contingent Fee Employment Lawyers Explain

UPDATE on Recent and Pending Discrimination Matters Pertaining to LGBT-Rights from SCOTUS and EEOC

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Mediation Program Designed to Resolve and Settle Employee Discrimination Complaints

Macy v. Holder - EEOC Finds LGBT Discrimination Violates Title VII -  Landmark EEOC Decision on Discrimination Based Upon Gender Identity, Change of Sex, and/or Transgender Status

Ranking the Most Common EEOC Discrimination Claims in 2011

The 38 United States That Ban Same Sex Marriage - Gay Marriage Illegal In These States - 9 States Allow Gay Marriage

Horrible Bosses: Telling Employee to Forget About Her Daughter "Because She's Dead" Not Evidence of a Hostile Work Environment

I Want to Quit My Job and Get Unemployment Benefits in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Unemployment Determination of Financial Eligibility - PENNSYLVANIA UNEMPLOYMENT LAWYERS

How Do I Complete an Application for Unemployment Compensation Benefits in Pennsylvania - Did I Resign or Was I Fired?  What is a Reduction in Force Versus a Layoff?

 What is a Necessitous and Compelling Reason for Quitting my Job Under Pennsylvania Unemployment Law? Philadelphia Unemployment Lawyers Explain

The Burden of Proof in a Pennsylvania Unemployment Appeal Referee Hearing

Can I Get Unemployment in Pennsylvania if I am Out on Disability Leave? What are the Differences Between Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability?

 Should I Resign or Let Them Fire Me? What Happens If I Quit My Job?  What Rights Do I Lose If I Resign or Quit From My Job? 

 

YOU CAN GET PARTIAL UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION IN PENNSYLVANIA IF YOUR EMPLOYER REDUCES YOUR HOURS OR MAKES YOU A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE

 

What is My Base Year Under Pennsylvania's Unemployment Law?

HOW DO I COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR PENNSYLVANIA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS - SOME KEY TIPS

SEVERANCE PAY, SETTLEMENTS AND PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW UNEMPLOYMENT LAW

Forced to Resign:  What Are My Rights if I am Forced to Quit From My Job in Pennsylvania?

Philadelphia-Area Employment Discrimination Law Firm 
                         Representing Employees

Philadelphia Area Employment Attorneys Representing Employees

610-647-5027

We are employment lawyers who represents employees in Pennsylvania. 

We typically represent employees who need an employment lawyer in Philadelphia County, Chester County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Berks County, Lancaster County and Montgomery County.

Pennsylvania Employment Attorneys Provides Free Telephone Consultations

If you are looking for an employment lawyer, and live in Ardmore, Ambler, Cheltenham, Ft. Washington, Lansdale, Blue Bell, Germantown, Chalfont, Plymouth Meeting, Pottstown, Willow Grove, Horsham, North Wales, Conshohocken, Montgomeryville, Hatboro, Harleysville, Souderton, Jenkintown, Trooper, Quakertown, Pottsgrove, Downingtown, Lionville, Collegeville, Phoenixville, Northeast Philadelphia, Oaks, Royersford, Springfield, Lower Providence, Malvern, Wayne, King of Prussia, Downingtown, Upper Gwynedd, Glenside, Doylestown, Radnor, Berwyn, Stowe, Bryn Mawr, Wayne, Newtown Square, Exton, Dresher, Aston, Brookhaven, Center City Philadelphia, West Chester, Lima, Oxford, Kennett Square, Skippack, Langhorne, Haverford, Newtown Square, Broomall, Drexel Hill, Reading, Eagle or any of their surrounding towns, feel free to send us an e-mail via our Contact Form or give us a call at 610-647-5027.  We are always glad to spend some time with people via a free telephone consultation.

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