Walnut Creek Office Harassment
Knowing What the Law Restricts
The law restricts certain types of speech in the workplace as harassing. Much of how the courts decide on these issues relates to context and the effect of the language used, but the fact remains that the idea of “free speech” does not provide harassers carte blanche to simply say whatever they want to others at work.
Our office helps clients understand their rights to perform their job functions and duties free of workplace harassment in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, and other places in California.
Walnut Creek Harassment at Work
When someone says things to you in the workplace that relate to certain concepts or ideas, that person may be harassing you. There is no requirement that harassing speech is sexual in nature—and, while sexual harassment is certainly reprehensible, other forms of harassing speech are still unlawful and provide that you can take action in California.
The official definition of punishable behavior includes that what is said is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile or abusive work environment, based in a variety of protected categories:
- Race, ethnicity, or national origin
- Religion or cultural beliefs
- Age
- Disability, including obesity
- Military membership or veteran status
- Political affiliation
- Sexual orientation or marital status
- Criminal record
- Medical conditions, including psychiatric treatment
- Occupation or receipt of public assistance
What this means is that the law allows a victim to file a lawsuit against a party who may have said something about their own religion, politics, or any other topic that would normally considered a topic of social value if the speech constitutes harassment under the elements of the definition.
