Workplace Harassment

In New Jersey, workplace harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination or retaliation. It occurs when your employer discriminates or retaliates against you for an illegal reason which creates a hostile work environment for you.

Harassment at work is legally actionable only if it is so severe or pervasive (frequent) that, in effect, it changes the terms and conditions of your job. For example, one extremely serious act of harassment at your job can be illegal. But, more commonly, it is a series of relatively minor actions over a period of weeks, months, or years that combines to create a hostile work environment.

We understand that harassment at your job can be extremely disruptive to your job and your life, and often causes severe emotional distress. In fact, if it is serious enough, or continues for a long enough period, it even can force you to leave your job in what is called a constructive discharge.

If you have been the victim of harassment at your job in New Jersey or New York, we can help.  Please contact us at (201) 777-2250 to schedule a consultation with one of our New Jersey harassment lawyers.

Sexual harassment is harassment that occurs because of the fact that you are a woman or a man. Sexual harassment often is sexual in nature. However, it is illegal to harass someone because of his or her gender even if it is not sexual all. More information is available on our sexual harassment page.

Not all harassment is illegal. Rather, the harassment has to be motivated by an illegal reason. For example, both New York and New Jersey prohibit racial harassment. Similarly, both states prohibit harassment at work based on your age, color, gender, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, pregnancy, religion, sexual orientation or veteran or military status.

Harassment also can be unlawful if it is a form of unlawful retaliation, or if it violates certain other employment laws like a state or federal wage and hour laws or the Family & Medical Leave Act ("FMLA").

Harassment can take many different forms. For example, it can include the use of derogatory or offensive comments and jokes, stereotypes, names and other behavior that is insulting or derogatory. It also can include assigning you work that is undesirable or inconsistent with your job title and experience, such as assigning you to perform menial tasks without justification.

Likewise, a hostile work environment can include unfair negative performance evaluations, over-scrutinizing or nitpicking your job performance, or isolating you from your coworkers. Yet another common form of harassment is threatening and intimidating behavior, such as unwarranted yelling, threats of unjustified discipline, or threats of physical violence.

Many other types of negative conduct can be part of a hostile work environment if it is directed at you because of your age, gender, race, disability, or the fact that you are a member of another legally-protected category.

You should not have to work in a hostile work environment. If you have been harassed at work, one of our New Jersey harassment attorneys can help. You can call us at (201) 777-2250, or contact us by filling out our online form.