Evident signs of workplace harassment in New Jersey 

Employees deserve to work in a safe, healthy, and productive environment. State and federal laws exist to protect employees and workers from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Despite all that, countless incidents happen in New Jersey, and a significant number of victims fail to take action or seek justice. If you want to know whether you have a discrimination case, you can visit this page for a free & quick consultation. In this post, we discuss more about the signs of workplace harassment in New Jersey. 

1 Denying a promotion because of pregnancy:

Pregnancy discrimination is unfortunately common in New Jersey. Pregnant women cannot be treated in a different way because they are expecting. In fact, if your employer denies you maternity leave, it is a form of discrimination. Similarly, if you were due for a promotion that was denied because you announced the pregnancy, it is discriminatory. 

2 Forcing you to retire:

Age-based discrimination is again common and happens often. Just because you are getting older, it doesn’t mean your employer can fire you. They cannot even pressure you to resign. They cannot comment on your age time and again. Forcing someone to retire because of their age is unlawful, barring a few exceptions where employers are able to prove that the said employee doesn’t have the physical or mental aptitude to continue with the role. 

3 Demeaning someone because of their age:

Even in 2024, racial discrimination is not unusual. If a certain employee is being demeaned by the employer because of their race or origin, it is unlawful. A simple example would be assigning a job to an employee for which they are clearly overqualified or making them do tasks that no one else wants to take up. 

4 Subjecting someone to a hostile work environment:

If a colleague, supervisor, or junior has been passing lewd comments, inappropriate jokes or remarks, or subjecting you to sexual innuendos, you may have a hostile work environment claim. It doesn’t have to be physical all the time. If you are unable to do your job properly or are stressed because of them, you may take legal action. 

5 Discrimination because of your disability:

While employers may refuse to hire someone because of their disability, stating they cannot continue or perform the work as the job demands, not hiring a person for their disability is discriminatory. Also, once you have been employed, you have certain rights, including the right to opportunity and promotion. 

6 Subjecting someone to sexual harassment:

In general, sexual harassment cases in NJ are classified into two broad segments. The first one is quid pro quo, where someone in power or with more authority forces someone to agree to sexual favors in return for something, such as a promotion. The other one is a hostile work environment, which we have explained above. 

Find an attorney

If you are facing discrimination at work because of your age, disability, race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation, you deserve to know the legal ways to pursue the matter further. An employment attorney specializing in the field can provide clear answers when proceeding with the case. They will listen to your case, ensure you understand the various aspects, and educate you about state and federal laws. Make sure to choose someone who fights for employees, as they are more likely to understand your circumstances and will be empathetic. Ask the attorney how they intend to approach the case and how they usually work on the strategy. 

Before you hire an attorney, check their ratings, ensure they are available, and meet them in person. You should feel comfortable and welcome to talk about your experience, and you can be assured that the conversation will remain confidential. 

Read Also: Why Mechanicsburg Residents Need to Hire an Elder Law Expert?