What are my rights if I work for a non-profit charity and feel I am in a hostile work environment?
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What are my rights if I work for a non-profit charity and feel I am in a hostile work environment?
My immediate supervisor sent an
email enviting everyone to a staff
meeting she stated in the email my
attendance was optional.then when
the meeting was being held I was
called and questioned as to my
attendance.I live close b y and
was able to get to the meeting
about 10 mins late. When I entered
the group was laughing saying they
were all just talking about me.
There have been several outlandish
allegations made against me about
my job performance evwething from
me stealing to smoking crack in
the basement.I passed a pre
employment drug test.everyone
talks about me behind my back.
While donations are being
mismanaged, an a bed bug
infestation that I am the only
employee trying to follow the
protocol put forth by the pest
company. On top of all this I feel
I am discriminated against due to
race. The program director is of
polynesian decent and three other
staff were at the time I was hired
since then she has hired two more
one being my new immediate
supervisor. Making 50 of our
staff Polynesian. I am white and
American Indian but my fellow
employees reference to me a a
white girl. I don’t even want to
go to work any longer due to these
factors. Do I have a case?
Asked on May 6, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Alaska
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Other than the racial issue, you would not have a case: workplaces, coworkers, and supervisors may be as hostile as they like...UNLESS the hostiilty, harassment, and/or discriminatory behavior is aimed at you due to a specifically protected characteristic, of which race is one of the main protected characteristics under the law.
Based on the comments you receive, the behavior, and the office demographics, you have stated a "prima facie" (basically, "on its face") case that you are experiencing racial harassment or discrimination at work. While it may be possible that they can ultimately show that racial discrimination is not going on, you seem to have ample basis to go to the federal EEOC or your state equal/civil rights agency and file a complaint. If the agency deems there may be discrimination/harassment going on, they can investigate for you and, if the investigation substantiates it, bring an action on your behalf.
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