Chicago Law Firm Handling Hostile Work Environment Claims

Employment attorney serving Chicago, IL

Every person has the right to work in an environment in which they feel safe, comfortable and respected. If you are being harassed or discriminated against at work, The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline can help you. We understand the trauma of experiencing workplace harassment. We are able to navigate the complex Illinois employment laws to get you the justice you deserve. If you feel that you are working in a hostile environment, turn to a law firm you can trust.

What is a hostile work environment?

A hostile work environment is one in which an employee is subjected to harassment or unfair treatment. The employee feels threatened, intimidated and frightened. This treatment can take the form of sexual harassment or discrimination. Some common examples of behavior that creates a hostile work environment include:

• Making discriminatory comments, based on sex, gender, age, disability, religion, race or ethnicity
• Inappropriate and unnecessary touching
• Coercing into performing sexual activities with the threat of being fired
• Sexually offensive jokes or comments
• Displaying offensive pictures
• Using crude language

Any of these activities could cause a hostile work environment if they occur frequently. If you feel unsafe or mistreated at work, our experienced Chicago employment law attorney can help you file a claim.

What you must prove in a hostile work environment case

Not all abusive behavior is considered “actionable,” meaning you might not have a case. The abuse must be so frequent and severe that it violates the law. The harassment must intimidate the victim to the point that their job performance is affected.

In order to have a hostile work environment claim, you must be able to prove the following:

• You were subjected to racist or otherwise offensive conduct.
• The conduct was unwelcomed by you.
• It was severe or common enough that any reasonable person in your position would also find the circumstances hostile.
• You informed your employer about the conduct.
• Your employer did not take reasonable steps to prevent the harassment or abuse from continuing.

If you are dealing with abusive behavior at work, it is imperative that you report it and follow your company’s harassment policy. This will help your case, because you will be able to show that you did something to stop the abuse. You should also document all of the harassment to have proof that it occurred. Then, hire a knowledgeable attorney at our firm to defend your rights.

Contact an experienced Chicago employment attorney today

If you are dealing with a hostile work environment, get help immediately. The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline offers free initial consultations and will help you file a claim and obtain the justice you deserve.