Hostile Work Environment Lawyer New York

Expert Legal Support from a Hostile Work Environment Attorney in New York

If you are facing harassment because of discrimination at work, an experienced hostile work environment lawyer in New York can help you take action. The workplace should be a safe and respectful environment.  When you are harassed because of discrimination, you have legal options. Consulting with a skilled hostile work environment attorney ensures your rights are protected under state and federal laws. 

Don’t let workplace discrimination go unchallenged—contact The Howley Law Firm at (212) 601-2728 for professional legal assistance tailored to your situation.

What Constitutes as a Hostile Work Environment?

Hostile work environments occur when someone in your place of employment discriminates against you by making it difficult or uncomfortable to do your job.  It is more than a boss or co-worker who is mean, nasty, or unreasonable.  In order to have a hostile work environment claim, you must be able to prove that the hostility is being caused by discrimination based on your sex, race, religion, or other illegal reason.

In general, the term “hostile work environment” refers to any discriminatory form of harrassment in your workplace, as prohibited by the law. Aside from federal prohibitions against hostile work environments, the state of New York has its own set of human rights laws to protect employees.

Behaviors that count as harassment and create a hostile work environment in New York include:

• Inappropriate and unwelcome touching.
• Sexual or racist jokes or comments.
• Inappropriate comments about sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
• Negative comments about an older person’s appearance or abilities.
• Unwarranted sexual remarks about a person’s appearance.
• Physically cornering an employee.
• Displaying sexually inappropriate or racist images or materials.
• Demanding sexual favors in exchange for promotions

There are many other actions or conducts that can create a hostile workplace. The behaviors that constitute a hostile workplace environment are not limited to those of a sexual nature.

Essentially any discrimination or harrassment based on age, gender identity, disability, marital status, religion, race, or citizenship status that interferes with your job performance can make a hostile workplace environment. 

This includes:

• Any discriminatory actions based on your race.
• Discriminating against a protected class
• Racial slurs, expressions, and verbal racial abuse.
• Comments on one’s status as a domestic violence victim.
• Display of offensive photos, objects, and other materials.
• Intimidation, physical threats, or actual assault.

Consulting a professional hostile work environment lawyer in New York can help you understand whether you have the grounds to file a hostile work environment lawsuit.

Contact us today to protect your career and regain peace of mind.

Rights of NYC Employees Facing a Hostile Work Environment

Workplace hostility, discrimination, and harassment can come from anyone in the workplace — not just your employer. As per New York state law, employees can file a workplace harassment claim against their supervisor, manager, or even co-worker. 

The New York City Human Rights Law offers employees more protection against workplace harassment, discrimination, and hostility. There are instances of workplace hostility that are otherwise not considered severe enough by federal or state laws but remain valid under NYC laws.

For instance, you are not required to demonstrate the severity or pervasiveness of any harassment claims before presenting your case. Under the NYC Human Rights Law, the severity or pervasiveness is only relevant once you are calculating damages owed.

Learn more about your rights as an NYC employee with the help of an experienced hostile work environment attorney from our team.

Understanding Limitations of NYC Employment Laws

As much as NYC employment and human rights laws strive to protect workers, they have their restrictions. One of the most important considerations is regarding the statute of limitations or the length of time employees have to bring their legal claims forward.

Anyone seeking to file workplace harassment or discrimination claims must do so within 300 days of the incidents allegedly happening. This applies if you are bringing your suit up with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

NYC employees have some leeway as state and city laws give them and their hostile work environment lawyer up to three years to file their lawsuit. However, waiting for the full three years is hardly ever recommended. 

The more time that passes between the alleged incidents resulting in a hostile workplace and the filing of your claims, the harder it is to collect and preserve evidence. It also becomes harder to find witnesses and ensure their cooperation.

Moreover, there are varying statutes of limitations regarding different complaints. For instance, you only have a year to file complaints for defamation and intentional torts. 

Steps to Take When Filing a Hostile Workplace Claim With a Hostile Work Environment Attorney

Hostile work environment claims generally require plaintiffs to provide proof that the offensive conduct happened, as well as proof that it is severe or pervasive. The burden of proof regarding conduct severity or pervasiveness is only waived for sexual misconduct or harassment claims.

If you are experiencing a hostile work environment, the best place to start is by consulting an experienced and trustworthy hostile work environment attorney in NYC.

Below are some steps you may take even before consulting our lawyers to help strengthen your claims:

• Document each incident promptly. Make sure to include the time and date it happened, as well as a detailed account of the event.
• Gather evidence. Preserve physical evidence such as notes, texts, or emails by making copies or printing them out. 
• Look for witnesses. If there are any witnesses, ask them to document what happened and to sign to their statement.
• Review relevant company policies. Our hostile work environment attorneys always advise clients to review the policies or training they received on workplace discrimination and harassment. This will help ensure you follow any outlined process in making formal complaints to further help your case.

Why Choose the Howley Law Firm?

Our attorneys have represented countless clients in various employment cases, both big and small. Our familiarity with the state and city’s labor and human rights laws allows us to provide superior legal representation and help you regain your dignity and career.

As employment lawyers, we handle hostile work environment cases, sexual workplace harassment cases, and more. We can also help you negotiate severance packages, receive due compensatory damages, and receive rightful unpaid wages.

More importantly, our hostile work environment lawyers in NYC will represent clients with strong cases for a contingency fee. If your case is strong enough, we will not charge you for our services unless you win your case and receive payment for damages.

Contact The Howley Law Firm to Speak With a Trusted Hostile Work Environment Lawyer in New York

If you believe you are experiencing a hostile work environment because of discrimination, don’t wait to take action. Residents of New York seeking the guidance of an experienced hostile work environment lawyer can rely on The Howley Law Firm for compassionate and skilled representation. Let us help you understand your rights and explore the options available to you. Call us today at (212) 601-2728 for a consultation and take the first step toward a fair and respectful workplace.