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WHEN IS BAD BEHAVIOR AT THE WORKPLACE “OVER THE LINE”?

Nancy Gray Nov. 25, 2018

You are unsure whether to call an employment law attorney, even though you face a challenging workplace situation that has brought you to the brink of tears (and, perhaps, beyond).

Whether your boss came on to you at a company retreat, a coworker sent you disgusting videos he found on Reddit, or a client made an unseemly proposition to you over the phone, you did not like what happened. However, you are unclear about your rights – or even if you should “make a fuss” about what happened at all.

Here is the reality: many sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation cases are straightforward. For instance: a boss might use racial epithets on the phone or comment extensively (and unwelcomingly) on his secretary’s love life.

But other cases are not so clear-cut.

It takes a lot of courage to come forward and complain about a slight, especially one that is not obviously “over the line.” Most employees are scared to jeopardize their work relationships or cause chaos in their companies without very good reason. At the same time, if you have been on the business end of demeaning comments or harassment, you want the behavior to stop, ASAP.

So what should you do?

• Should you call your Human Resources department?• Should you talk to your supervisor?• Should you let things slide and hope conditions improve?

The answers depend sensitively on the circumstances. Fortunately, you do not have to guess about what strategic course to take. Call experienced employment law attorney, Nancy Gray, for a free, confidential consultation about your next steps.