By Ricotta & Marks, P.C. on March 14th, 2022 in
An individual’s workplace environment is an integral part of their day-to-day routine. When a work environment becomes hostile it can be incredibly difficult to manage. Not feeling comfortable, safe, and respected in a workplace can have a substantial impact on a person’s emotional well-being. In turn, this can also affect a person’s finances, especially if the hostility in their work environment leads to detrimental performance. This is not uncommon, and for this reason, many individuals turn to employment lawyers for assistance.
At Ricotta & Marks, P.C., we work with our clients to help them understand what is a hostile work environment in New York City, and ensure their legal rights remain protected. We advocate on their behalf, working diligently to restore order and fairness to their lives. If you or a loved one has experienced a hostile work environment, you may be wondering if there are legal remedies available to you. Thankfully, it is possible to seek compensation. Consider contacting a Ricotta & Marks, P.C. hostile work environment claims attorney today at 347-321-8895 to get started.
What Is a Hostile Work Environment in New York City?
A hostile work environment exists when an individual is subjected to behavior within a workplace that creates an uncomfortable, unsafe, and/or unwelcoming environment based upon their membership in a protected class, such as their race, gender, or age. Under federal and state labor laws, the creation of a hostile work environment is one form of employment discrimination.
While employment discrimination can involve unfair hiring practices or the like, a hostile work environment is present in the actual employment context. Day to day, individuals who are victims of hostile work environments are forced to endure unfair or unfavorable treatment by coworkers, including:
- Insults and bullying
- Intimidation
- Offensive jokes
- Sexual harassment
- Slurs and name-calling
- Ridicule or mockery
- Threats
- Disparate treatment in terms of workload or supervision
- Discrimination
Employees are protected against discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law may be applicable in hostile work environment cases, but there are a variety of other laws on the federal and state level that apply to these cases. This is due to the fact that hostile work environments often involve a variety of unlawful behaviors and actions, including discrimination and harassment, against any of the protected classes. Pregnancy discrimination laws, disability discrimination laws, or sexual harassment legislation, for example, may all be applicable in hostile work environment cases.
In New York City, an employee may file a hostile work environment claim against any person or people who create a hostile workplace. This can include supervisors, managers, coworkers, or any other relevant individual within their place of employment. Hostile work environment claims will be reviewed holistically, taking into consideration a variety of factors including:
- Frequency of the incidents
- Severity of the incidents
- Emotional and psychological harm suffered
- Interference in work performance
Ricotta & Marks employment lawyers can help answer what is a hostile work environment in New York City as well as educate you on how to go about filing a claim or a lawsuit.
How Do Hostile Work Environment Claims Differ From Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Claims?
Hostile work environment claims differ from quid pro quo sexual harassment claims due to a few reasons. Unlike in quid pro quo sexual harassment cases, hostile work environment claims do not require one specific victim or target. Rather, the employer has created an environment that is generally unsuitable for work.
Moreover, due to the nature of quid pro quo sexual harassment cases, the perpetrator is almost always a person of authority in the workplace. This is not necessarily the case in hostile work environments, where the perpetrator can be any individual within the organization, regardless of authority.
Understanding quid pro quo sexual harassment is important when considering what is a hostile work environment in New York City. In some instances, a quid pro quo sexual harassment matter can be a contributing factor to a hostile work environment. In this way, navigating a hostile work environment claim can be difficult and an experienced hostile work environment claim attorney can help differentiate between the two forms of unlawful behavior.
How Ricotta & Marks, P.C. Lawyers For Harassment and Other Claims Can Help
At Ricotta & Marks, P.C., we leverage our skill and expertise in order to achieve results for our clients. What sets us apart, however, is our compassion. We understand the stress of enduring a hostile work environment. No person should be subjected to unlawful discriminatory or harassing behavior. For this reason, we go above and beyond to ensure that our clients receive the representation that they deserve.
While experiencing a hostile work environment can leave you feeling vulnerable, you do not need to endure the stress alone. With two discrimination offices in New York, we are able to provide legal services to you quickly and efficiently. Consider contacting an experienced hostile work environment claims lawyer at Ricotta & Marks, P.C. today at 347-321-8895 to learn more about how we can help.