Dedicated New Jersey Lawyers Handle Hostile Work Environment Cases

Accomplished firm represents workers subjected to offensive speech and conduct

Even if you’re not being pressured into a relationship by a supervisor, sexually offensive conduct at work can cause great harm and affect your ability to do your job. Fortunately, the law provides a remedy for people who are suffering in a hostile work environment based upon sex or gender. At Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in Hackensack, we are proven employment law attorneys who fight on behalf of mistreated employees in New Jersey and New York. Our experienced lawyers are strong advocates for people victimized by workplace misconduct such as explicit comments, dirty jokes, lewd gestures, exposure to offensive photos or videos, and unwanted touching. For more than 30 years, we have won substantial verdicts and settlements for clients whose rights have been violated as they tried to earn a living.

Knowledgeable attorneys pursue relief for victimized employees

People are used to hearing about sexual harassment cases in which a supervisor directly pressures a subordinate in exchange for some workplace benefit. However, they might not be as clear on the standards for a hostile work environment action. We’ll explain each aspect of these cases, including:

• Severe or pervasive misconduct — One offensive joke or rude gesture isn’t usually enough to succeed on a hostile work environment claim. The misbehavior must be severe or pervasive enough so that a reasonable woman would feel intimidated or abused.
• Harassers need not be supervisors — Unlike quid pro quo claims, hostile work environment actions can arise when the offender is not a supervisor. Co-workers, subordinates and even customers can create an unlawful situation, and employees can obtain relief even if the speech or conduct is not specifically directed at them.
• Claims available for other types of offensive behavior — Hostile work environment actions can also be filed by workers who are being victimized based on their membership within another legally protected group. For example, repeated jokes about a co-worker’s race or religion can justify this type of claim.
• Employer retaliation prohibited — Too often, people put up with persistent harassment because they are afraid that making a complaint will lead to a firing or demotion. It’s important to understand that retaliating against an employee for objecting to or opposing discrimination is illegal. Our lawyers can help prove a retaliation case against an employer even when they try to allege that a legitimate reason exists for the action they’ve taken.

Don’t hesitate to get the strong legal support you need to take on the people and organizations that have mistreated you. Our firm has a long track record of winning successful results in court and at the negotiation table.

Contact a New Jersey employment lawyer for assistance with a hostile work environment claim

Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. advocates for New Jersey employees in hostile work environment claims and other sexual harassment cases. Please call (201) 498-0900 or contact us online to schedule a meeting at our office in Hackensack, located across the street from the Bergen County Courthouse.