Every employee deserves a safe and respectful workplace—but not every workplace protects employees from harassment. If you’re facing harassment on the job, you deserve justice.
We are committed to fighting for justice and ensuring employers are held accountable for unlawful behavior. With deep roots in Georgia, Joshua E. Palmer advocates for people who are mistreated, bringing years of legal experience from top law firms to his own practice. We approach every case with compassion, strategy, and unmatched advocacy.
Whether you’ve suffered sexual harassment, discrimination, or a hostile work environment, these behaviors are unacceptable—and illegal. If you believe you’ve experienced workplace harassment, the Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a consultation.
What is Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment is “unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or pregnancy), national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information (including family medical history).” It goes beyond simple workplace disagreements or personality conflicts.
Harassment can be a one-time incident or an ongoing pattern of behavior that interferes with an employee’s ability to perform their job. However, not all workplace conflicts are illegal harassment. General disagreements and constructive criticism are not necessarily harassment. However, targeting someone for who they are (rather than their job performance) can be.
When this behavior becomes severe or pervasive enough to create a toxic work environment or when an employee experiences mistreatment based on a legally protected characteristic, it may be unlawful.
Both state and federal laws provide protection against workplace harassment. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act offer additional protections.
In Georgia, employees are also protected by state laws that require employers to maintain a safe and respectful workplace. Employees have the right to report harassment and seek legal action if their employer fails to address the situation appropriately.
Common Types of Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment can take many forms. The behavior must make it difficult for employees to perform their duties. Some of the most common types include:
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace can take two primary forms: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. Quid pro quo occurs when job benefits are conditioned on the employee tolerating or submitting to unwanted sexual advances. In other words, if an employee can only get promotions, raises, or continued employment if they put up with unwelcome sexual behavior, they are a victim of workplace sexual harassment.
A hostile work environment occurs when ongoing offensive conduct creates an intimidating or abusive work environment. This can also include sexual advances, inappropriate comments, and unwanted physical contact.
Examples of sexual harassment include lewd comments, suggestive jokes, inappropriate touching, and explicit messages.
Discriminatory Harassment
When an employee is treated unfairly or experiences offensive behavior on a protected characteristic (such as race, gender, and disability), they are victims of discriminatory harassment. This behavior often manifests in offensive jokes, unfair targeting, slurs, and exclusion from work-related activities.
Retaliation and Workplace Bullying
Retaliation happens when an employer takes adversarial action against an employee for reporting harassment or participating in an investigation. This often includes demotion, firing, and other forms of intimidation. This behavior is intended to be punishment, purposely discouraging employees from speaking up.
Workplace bullying is not always tied to retaliation, but it can be. It involves consistent, harmful actions that create a toxic or abusive work environment. Bullying often involves repeated insults, intimidation, and exclusion.
Georgia and Federal Workplace Harassment Laws
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that protects employees from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. This law applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Victims of workplace harassment have the right to file complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Employees may also be protected by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Georgia state laws provide additional protections. Georgia requires employers to maintain a work environment free from harassment and discrimination. Employers are legally obligated to investigate complaints and take appropriate action to resolve any issues that arise.
Employers can be held liable for workplace harassment if they fail to prevent or address it. This includes situations where the employer ignores complaints, retaliates against the victim, or fails to stop the harassment from continuing. Victims of workplace harassment have the right to pursue legal action against both the harasser and the employer.
Steps to Take if You’re Experiencing Workplace Harassment
If you’re experiencing workplace harassment, follow these steps:
- Document the harassment: Keep detailed records of each incident. Note the dates, times, locations, and any witnesses to the harassment. Save any emails, messages, and other evidence that could support your claim.
- Make a report: Follow your company’s reporting procedures and notify HR or management in writing. Formally documenting your complaint ensures there is a clear record of the harassment.
- Contact the Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm: If your employer fails to take action or retaliates against you, call our firm right away. Joshua E. Palmer can guide you through the process of filing a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), through federal law, or pursuing a lawsuit.
Working with an experienced workplace harassment attorney is the best way to find out whether your rights have been violated and to hold your employer accountable.
Get Help from an Experienced Workplace Harassment Attorney
If you’ve experienced workplace harassment, it’s important to take action to protect your rights and your well-being. The Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm knows the emotional and professional toll that harassment can take. Our firm is here to provide you with the support and legal guidance you need.
Whether your case involves sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or workplace bullying, we offer compassionate legal representation tailored to your unique situation. We can help you hold your employer accountable and work toward a fair resolution.
When you are ready to take the next step, contact us today for a consultation.
