Choosing the Right Workplace Harassment Lawyer
Everyone has the right to a safe working environment. Yet far too many Tennessee workers endure bullying, discrimination, and intimidation on the job, which affects their professional and personal lives. Their performance can decline. They may begin to dread going to work and interacting with colleagues. Harassment can also have a detrimental effect on an employee’s mental and physical health.
Employers should be held accountable when they engage in or tolerate harassment in the workplace. If you’ve experienced workplace harassment, you could be entitled to compensation for its negative effects on your life. Let the Nashville harassment attorneys at the Employment and Commerce Law Group help you demand it. Our lawyer for harassment at work has the experience and skills to fight for the working conditions you deserve. Contact us to speak to an employment attorney today.
What is Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment is a type of workplace discrimination. It involves the belittling or threatening of an employee. Examples of workplace harassment include:
- Discrimination based on protected characteristics like disability, gender, race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, pregnancy, religion, or age (over 40)
- Offensive jokes
- Name calling
- Slurs
- Epithets
- Humiliation or ridicule
- Intimidation or coercion
- Insults
- Minimizing a worker’s efforts
- Excluding an employee from group discussions
- Cyberbullying
Harassment crosses the line into unlawful behavior if it creates a hostile work environment or tolerating it becomes a condition of employment. It also must be specifically directed at the individual because of who they are. Under Tennessee law, the intent of the harasser’s conduct weighs less heavily than its impact on the worker.
If you experienced harassment at work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages. The specific compensation will depend on the details of your case. Some potential damages could include:
- Back pay to cover lost income if you lost your job
- Job reinstatement if you were wrongfully terminated
- Future pay if the harassment caused long-term loss of earning capacity
- Reimbursement for medical and therapy costs to treat mental or physical issues caused by workplace harassment
- Compensation for emotional distress like depression, anxiety, panic attacks
- Punitive damages to punish the employer if the harassment was egregious
You could also demand injunctive relief, where the court requires your employer to take specific actions like firing or transferring the harasser or instituting anti-harassment policies.
Whatever form it takes, you have a legal right to call out workplace harassment and hold the wrongdoers accountable. An experienced Tennessee employment lawyer will work to protect your rights by filing a complaint through the appropriate channels.
Why Should I Hire a Workplace Harassment Lawyer?
You have legal rights if you endured harassment at work. An experienced attorney can listen to your story and advise you on the strength of your case. They will also explain your legal options, which could include filing an internal complaint or lawsuit.
It can feel intimidating to stand up to your employer. After all, we need our jobs to live. Keep in mind that your identity will be kept confidential as much as possible during the investigation process. And with legal representation, you get an advocate with the experience and skills to help you identify the remedial measures to address your complaint with as little stress as possible.
A workplace harassment lawyer can also correspond with HR or upper management on your behalf. They can also represent you if your complaint goes before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The right attorney will also support you during a difficult time. Being the target of workplace harassment can be painful, upsetting, and even enraging. Your lawyer can listen to your concerns and help you overcome them while they focus on building your case and pursuing the best outcome through a settlement or in court.
What to Look for in the Best Workplace Harassment Attorneys
When filing a workplace harassment claim, your choice of lawyer can make a big difference in its eventual outcome. Choosing someone who is fully capable of handling your case is essential. Here are some key factors to look for when searching for the best employment lawyers in Nashville, TN:
Track Record of Success
Look for a lawyer or law firm with a proven history of getting favorable outcomes for clients in workplace harassment cases. Ask about their track record, past settlements and verdicts, and examples of similar cases they’ve handled. Past successes mean the law firm has a tried and tested roadmap to set your case up for the best possible results.
Communication and Compatibility
You will work closely with your attorney throughout the case, so choose someone you feel comfortable with. Look for a lawyer who is an effective communicator and makes you feel heard and understood. You want to be confident they will fight passionately on your behalf.
Knowledge of Workplace Laws
It is critical to work with an attorney who has in-depth knowledge of laws related to workplace harassment and employment discrimination. Key federal laws include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Your attorney should also have a thorough knowledge of the additional protections Tennessee law offers workers.
Get Help From Our Workplace Harassment Lawyer
Have you been the target of harassment in the workplace? If so, your employer needs to make things right. That could come through compensation for lost income and emotional harm, making up for the adverse effects the harassment has had on your career, or implementing policies to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
The Employment and Commerce Law Group has successfully represented employees facing harassment and discrimination in Nashville for over 15 years. Our skilled workplace harassment lawyers will thoroughly investigate your complaint and help you pursue maximum compensation. We are passionate advocates dedicated to protecting employees’ rights. Call us today or request a free consultation online to get started.