Has anyone ever sued their workplace for harassment?

[ninja007]

true stories only please. Im having a lot of issues with one person over the last year or so, but its ramping up. problem is this employee is a good family friend of the boss. the boss is rarely there and sees almost none of this verbal harassment towards me. I have talked to him and he basically sides with his buddy/friend. Ive been there a good while and like the job otherwise; decent money for hrs worked etc... Im debating about filing a lawsuit with employment standards/ministry of labor. Are you allowed to audio record interactions? im sure ill need proof of said abuse. the other employees and wimps and will be afraid to come forward as witnesses etc. Please stay on topic, please dont say get another job etc. im wanting to know if anyone has sued their workplace for verbal harassment? also could possibly do constructive dismissal lawsuit instead. im not quitting atm; either theyll have to fire me or things get better. Looks like the owner will not speak to his young family friend, who has some authority over me. ive already approached him and problems getting worse' also other managers will not help.

 

[Hossfly]

true stories only please. Im having a lot of issues with one person over the last year or so, but its ramping up. problem is this employee is a good family friend of the boss. the boss is rarely there and sees almost none of this verbal harassment towards me. I have talked to him and he basically sides with his buddy/friend. Ive been there a good while and like the job otherwise; decent money for hrs worked etc... Im debating about filing a lawsuit with employment standards/ministry of labor. Are you allowed to audio record interactions? im sure ill need proof of said abuse. the other employees and wimps and will be afraid to come forward as witnesses etc. Please stay on topic, please dont say get another job etc. im wanting to know if anyone has sued their workplace for verbal harassment? also could possibly do constructive dismissal lawsuit instead. im not quitting atm; either theyll have to fire me or things get better. Looks like the owner will not speak to his young family friend, who has some authority over me. ive already approached him and problems getting worse' also other managers will not help.

Record the guy and tell him you're recording.

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

true stories only please. Im having a lot of issues with one person over the last year or so, but its ramping up. problem is this employee is a good family friend of the boss. the boss is rarely there and sees almost none of this verbal harassment towards me. I have talked to him and he basically sides with his buddy/friend. Ive been there a good while and like the job otherwise; decent money for hrs worked etc... Im debating about filing a lawsuit with employment standards/ministry of labor. Are you allowed to audio record interactions? im sure ill need proof of said abuse. the other employees and wimps and will be afraid to come forward as witnesses etc. Please stay on topic, please dont say get another job etc. im wanting to know if anyone has sued their workplace for verbal harassment? also could possibly do constructive dismissal lawsuit instead. im not quitting atm; either theyll have to fire me or things get better. Looks like the owner will not speak to his young family friend, who has some authority over me. ive already approached him and problems getting worse' also other managers will not help.

Your best bet is to locate a plaintiff attorney, sometimes known as a litigation attorney in your jurisdiction that specializes in employment/labor law and offers FREE consultations.

It's VERY important that you ONLY speak to plaintiff attorneys otherwise you could end up spilling your guts to an attorney or law firm who specializes in defending employers who may be violating the rights of their workers.

There is a national organization called NELA.org that does exactly this. Many states also have their own version of the organization. For example in Washington State, their is WELA.org. All of these organizations only represent the workers, never the employer.

Additionally I would advise you to delete this thread and limit what you discuss about your situation with people on the internet/whom you don't know. You could end up potentially causing irreparable damage to your case.

If you're a member of a protected class you need to speak to someone ASAP because the statute of limitations on Title VII cases is only 180 days if I recall correctly although if your state has similar anti-discriminations laws their statute of limitations could be longer, but it's always safer to file as soon as possible because once that statute of limitations lapses, that effectively extinguishes any action you can take against any of the offenders.

Lastly, whether or not you can make a recording depends on which state you live in. Some states require all parties to the conversation to give consent while others required only one party give consent and that one party can be you.
United States Recording Laws - Recording Law

My advice above relates to U.S. law only, I just assumed you were here.

 

[Concerned American]

true stories only please. Im having a lot of issues with one person over the last year or so, but its ramping up. problem is this employee is a good family friend of the boss. the boss is rarely there and sees almost none of this verbal harassment towards me. I have talked to him and he basically sides with his buddy/friend. Ive been there a good while and like the job otherwise; decent money for hrs worked etc... Im debating about filing a lawsuit with employment standards/ministry of labor. Are you allowed to audio record interactions? im sure ill need proof of said abuse. the other employees and wimps and will be afraid to come forward as witnesses etc. Please stay on topic, please dont say get another job etc. im wanting to know if anyone has sued their workplace for verbal harassment? also could possibly do constructive dismissal lawsuit instead. im not quitting atm; either theyll have to fire me or things get better. Looks like the owner will not speak to his young family friend, who has some authority over me. ive already approached him and problems getting worse' also other managers will not help.

If you're in the US, contact the EEOC and they'll take care of it for you. Then see an attorney and sue for damages.

 

[crossbody]

No. Never.

They say we teach people how to treat us. In the workplace it's a good idea to be reserved, religious, strange, weird, etc... Those types of people hardly ever get harassed on the job. Especially if one plays the religious card. It really does cover them.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but you have decisions to make such as:

1. Tell someone in your workplace what happen.
2. Report it to Human Resources.
3. Decided to let it go, and never speak about it, so you live your life in peace without being retaliated against.

 

[ninja007]

Your best bet is to locate a plaintiff attorney, sometimes known as a litigation attorney in your jurisdiction that specializes in employment/labor law and offers FREE consultations.

It's VERY important that you ONLY speak to plaintiff attorneys otherwise you could end up spilling your guts to an attorney or law firm who specializes in defending employers who may be violating the rights of their workers.

There is a national organization called NELA.org that does exactly this. Many states also have their own version of the organization. For example in Washington State, their is WELA.org. All of these organizations only represent the workers, never the employer.

Additionally I would advise you to delete this thread and limit what you discuss about your situation with people on the internet/whom you don't know. You could end up potentially causing irreparable damage to your case.

If you're a member of a protected class you need to speak to someone ASAP because the statute of limitations on Title VII cases is only 180 days if I recall correctly although if your state has similar anti-discriminations laws their statute of limitations could be longer, but it's always safer to file as soon as possible because once that statute of limitations lapses, that effectively extinguishes any action you can take against any of the offenders.

Lastly, whether or not you can make a recording depends on which state you live in. Some states require all parties to the conversation to give consent while others required only one party give consent and that one party can be you.
United States Recording Laws - Recording Law

My advice above relates to U.S. law only, I just assumed you were here.

im in canada

 

[ninja007]

No. Never.

They say we teach people how to treat us. In the workplace it's a good idea to be reserved, religious, strange, weird, etc... Those types of people hardly ever get harassed on the job. Especially if one plays the religious card. It really does cover them.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but you have decisions to make such as:

1. Tell someone in your workplace what happen.
2. Report it to Human Resources.
3. Decided to let it go, and never speak about it, so you live your life in peace without being retaliated against.

its a daily thing almost.

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

im in canada

You could try calling one of the NELA attorneys and asking it they have a Candian counterpart. The same advice would apply expect you would have to make adjustments for your anti-discrimination laws & agencies, including statute of limitations and laws surrounding making recordings.

Otherwise my advice is the same, you should speak to someone (an attorney) as soon as possible. Time is of the essence.

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

No. Never.

They say we teach people how to treat us. In the workplace it's a good idea to be reserved, religious, strange, weird, etc... Those types of people hardly ever get harassed on the job. Especially if one plays the religious card. It really does cover them.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but you have decisions to make such as:

1. Tell someone in your workplace what happen.
2. Report it to Human Resources.
3. Decided to let it go, and never speak about it, so you live your life in peace without being retaliated against.

I would advise you against talking to Human Resources until after to speak with an attorney and then only at the direction of said attorney(s). My experiences have been and I have also been advised that Human Resources is there to protect and shield the company from liability, not protect the individual workers unfortunately.

 

[ninja007]

I would advise you against talking to Human Resources until after to speak with an attorney and then only at the direction of said attorney(s). My experiences have been and I have also been advised that Human Resources is there to protect and shield the company from liability, not protect the individual workers unfortunately.

dont have a hr, non union job.

 

[crossbody]

I would advise you against talking to Human Resources until after to speak with an attorney and then only at the direction of said attorney(s). My experiences have been and I have also been advised that Human Resources is there to protect and shield the company from liability, not protect the individual workers unfortunately.

whatever this person does... they will be fired as soon as they speak, or as soon as an attorney speaks for them. They will be tabled a "problem employee." I just gave them some wise options; like keeping quiet.

 

[JOSweetHeart]

Record the guy and tell him you're recording.

If the person who needs to be fired or arrested knows that they are being recorded, they will never say or do anything incriminating.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

 

[John Edgar Slow Horses]

You have answered your question.

No. Suck it up (things always change) or go find another job.

 

[Concerned American]

dont have a hr, non union job.

What You Need to Know About Canadian Harassment Laws

If you operate businesses in Canada or have employees who work from there, it’s important to understand Canada’s harassment training laws.

everfi.com

Requirements for employers to prevent harassment and violence in federally regulated workplaces - Canada.ca

As an employer in the federal jurisdiction, you should understand the definition of workplace harassment and violence. You should also develop a workplace harassment and violence prevention policy with the help of your employees.

www.canada.ca

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

true stories only please. Im having a lot of issues with one person over the last year or so, but its ramping up. problem is this employee is a good family friend of the boss. the boss is rarely there and sees almost none of this verbal harassment towards me. I have talked to him and he basically sides with his buddy/friend. Ive been there a good while and like the job otherwise; decent money for hrs worked etc... Im debating about filing a lawsuit with employment standards/ministry of labor. Are you allowed to audio record interactions? im sure ill need proof of said abuse. the other employees and wimps and will be afraid to come forward as witnesses etc. Please stay on topic, please dont say get another job etc. im wanting to know if anyone has sued their workplace for verbal harassment? also could possibly do constructive dismissal lawsuit instead. im not quitting atm; either theyll have to fire me or things get better. Looks like the owner will not speak to his young family friend, who has some authority over me. ive already approached him and problems getting worse' also other managers will not help.

Two things:

1) GET A WITNESS. By far, the #1 most compelling item, in any future hearing. Have someone in your office and talk to this person on speakerphone. Have someone nearby, for in person conversations

2) DOCUMENT. Write down what was said to you. If you get a voicemail, save it and return it by email. Try to shift as much communication as you can to email or infernal chat software, so it is documented.

I've sat in on 4 hearings for harassment, and these two items were the deciding factor in all of them.