Workplace Harassment Claims: Protecting Employees from Hostile Work Environments
Workplace harassment is more than just uncomfortable behavior—it’s illegal when it interferes with an employee’s ability to do their job or creates a hostile work environment. Employees deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued at work. When harassment goes unchecked, it can seriously impact a person’s mental health, career growth, and financial stability.
At Jonny Law, we represent employees who have been subjected to unlawful workplace harassment and help them understand their rights under California law.
What Is Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment generally involves unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Harassment can be committed by supervisors, managers, coworkers, or even clients and customers.
Harassment may be verbal, physical, visual, or digital, and it does not need to involve physical contact to be unlawful.
Common Types of Workplace Harassment
Employees may experience harassment based on:
Race or ethnicity
Gender or sex
Sexual orientation or gender identity
Religion
Disability or medical condition
Age (40 and over)
National origin
Pregnancy or parental status
Examples include offensive jokes, slurs, unwanted sexual comments, inappropriate touching, threats, intimidation, repeated insults, or discriminatory remarks.
Hostile Work Environment
A hostile work environment exists when harassment is severe or pervasive enough to interfere with an employee’s work performance or create an abusive atmosphere. Even conduct that may seem minor on its own can become illegal when it happens repeatedly or is especially serious.
Importantly, employers can be held liable if they knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take prompt and effective corrective action.
Employer Responsibilities Under California Law
California employers are legally required to:
Take reasonable steps to prevent harassment
Investigate complaints promptly and thoroughly
Stop harassment once it is reported
Protect employees from retaliation
Retaliating against an employee for reporting harassment—such as demotion, termination, reduced hours, or intimidation—is also illegal.
What Should You Do If You’re Being Harassed?
If you are experiencing workplace harassment, consider taking these steps:
Document the behavior (dates, times, witnesses, and details)
Report the harassment internally if it is safe to do so
Preserve emails, texts, or other evidence
Speak with an experienced employment attorney
You do not have to tolerate harassment to keep your job, and you do not have to navigate this process alone.
How Jonny Law Can Help
Workplace harassment cases can be complex, especially when employers deny wrongdoing or attempt to shift blame. Our firm advocates for employees by investigating claims, negotiating with employers, and pursuing legal action when necessary.
If your work environment has become hostile or abusive, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.
Other Workplace Harassment Areas We Cover
Harassment can take many forms—and each deserves serious legal attention. Explore the related practice areas below.
| Practice Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Sexual Harassment | Unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate comments, requests for favors, or conduct creating a hostile work environment. |
| Racial Harassment | Harassment based on race or ethnicity, including slurs, stereotypes, or discriminatory behavior. |
| Religious Harassment | Hostile treatment, ridicule, or failure to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs. |
| Disability Harassment | Mistreatment or offensive conduct related to physical or mental disabilities or medical conditions. |
If you believe you are experiencing workplace harassment, you don’t have to face it alone. Speaking with an experienced employment attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and decide the best next steps. Our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and provide clear guidance—confidentially and at no cost.
