If you have been subjected to workplace harassment in Chapel Hill or anywhere in North Carolina, you do not have to suffer in silence. Powerful state and federal laws protect employees from harassment based on sex, race, ethnicity, and other protected characteristics. An experienced Chapel Hill workplace harassment attorney can make those laws work for you.
At The Noble Law, we are passionate advocates for employees who have been harassed, assaulted, intimidated, and otherwise mistreated at work. Our goal is to hold the responsible party or parties accountable and get you the justice you deserve. Contact us for a consultation with experienced Chapel Hill workplace harassment attorneys.
When Is it Harassment?
You may have been badly treated at work, but does it qualify as harassment according to the law?
There is no law against unfavorable treatment on the job. Your employer or a manager or coworker may criticize you, be unfriendly, slight you, even yell at you, all while acting within the law.
This treatment becomes harassing behavior when it is the result of your age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy status, or genetic information. The conduct becomes unlawful when:
- Enduring it becomes a condition of keeping your job
- It is severe and long-lasting enough to create a working environment a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.
If you think you have been harassed but are unsure, talk with a knowledgeable workplace harassment attorney in Chapel Hill before making any important decisions. An analysis of your case may reveal the potential for a lawsuit or a harassment claim with the appropriate state or federal agency.
The Many Forms of Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment may take the form of:
- Offensive jokes or remarks
- Name calling
- Bullying
- Threats and intimidation
- Physical touching and assaults
These are only a few examples of workplace harassment. It can manifest in subtle and overt ways. Any of these behaviors can inflict significant emotional, physical, and financial harm on the victim.
Sexual Harassment
One of the most pervasive and damaging employment violations, sexual harassment, may take the form of unwanted comments, persistent date requests, touching, lewd jokes, and much more.
Another type of sexual harassment is “quid pro quo” harassment, which essentially means “this for that,” and refers to situations in which a superior pressures an employee into granting sexual favors in exchange for career advancement or other favorable treatment.
Other Types of Harassment
Harassment based on age, race, ethnicity, and other characteristics can take numerous forms, including all of the above-mentioned behaviors.
No matter how you were harassed, it is the conduct of the harasser, not your reaction, that must be called to account. Victims may endure the conduct, remain friendly with the harasser, and even laugh along like they’re in on the joke. This type of reaction is not evidence that the victim didn’t suffer harm—it is the survival instinct of a person in a terrible situation who is doing whatever they can to contend with a stark power imbalance.
The Law Is On Your Side
If you feel powerless in this situation, remember that the law is on your side. On the federal level, employees are protected against workplace harassment and other unlawful employment actions by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Employees in Chapel Hill, and throughout North Carolina, enjoy additional protections from The North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act (NCEEPA), which reinforces broad definitions of harassment and protected characteristics and applies to those currently employed and those seeking work.
Talk With a Chapel Hill, NC, Workplace Harassment Attorney Today
At The Noble Law, we understand the trauma that often accompanies workplace harassment and how difficult it can be to even talk about what happened to you. Our employment attorneys and staff are committed to providing a safe environment where you can discuss these sensitive issues freely while obtaining the legal guidance and advocacy you need.
When you are ready to discuss your claim and explore available legal options, we will be here for you. Contact us today for a consultation.
Learn More
Here at The Noble Law, we are committed to educating our communities in North Carolina and South Carolina about employment law and their rights in the workplace. We believe part of our job as an employment law firm is to share our expertise with others. Explore our resources, including more employment law videos, and keep up with our employment law firm news by following Noble Notes.
Along with representing clients with claims of workplace harassment, sexual harassment, and workplace assault, we also represent workers in other areas of employment law. These areas include executive compensation disputes; workplace discrimination; retaliation and whistleblower; and pay, overtime, and leave. Learn more about our employment law firm’s Practice Areas and if you are interested in speaking with one of our employment attorneys in North Carolina or South Carolina, contact us today.