What are my rights regarding workplace harassment?
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What are my rights regarding workplace harassment?
I work for a Fortune 50 company, I was called a
Asked on November 29, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
1) Insults about your girlfriend or being called an "asshole," as long as this is not related to a disability or your race, are legal: the law does not require coworkers or employers to be professional, courteaous, respectful, etc. They can abuse you, so long as it's not because of a protected reason (see below).
2) However, you may not be abused for certain reasons, among which are race, national origin, and disability (you write that you have a "medical condition": depending on the nature of that condition, it may qualify as a disability). If you believe that some or all of the harassment is due to race, national origin (you have quoted some racist or ethnic slurs) or your condition, this may be illegal workplace discrimination, and the employer's failure to take steps to stop this harassment after being made aware of it may make them liable. Contract your state's Divison on Civil Rights (or "DCR") to discuss the matter: they may investigate if they believe that this is due to race, ethnicity, or national origin, or because of a disability), and if they find some evidence of such illegal discrimation or harassment, may take take legal action on your behalf.
Good luck.
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