Harassment
Harassment at work is your employer's problem to fix
No one should have to dread a shift. When the people in charge know and do nothing, the law can step in.
Harassment can be sexual, or about race, religion, age, disability or where you're from. It can come from a manager, a coworker or a customer. What matters is that it's serious or keeps happening, and that your employer knew or should have known.
Reporting it, in writing if you can, is often what makes the employer responsible. If you're afraid to report, talk to us first and we'll help you decide how.
We can push for the harassment to stop, for a transfer or schedule change, and for pay if you lost work or had to leave. If you are in danger, call 911 first.
Steps that protect you
Write it down
Dates, words used, who saw it. Keep notes somewhere that isn't work's.
Report it in writing
An email to HR or a manager creates a record that it was reported.
Save the messages
Texts, voicemails and screenshots, copied to your own phone or email.
Talk to us early
Before a meeting with HR, or before you decide to quit.
What workers ask about harassment
It's only comments, not touching. Does it count?
It can. Repeated comments about your sex, race or religion can be enough, especially when you've reported them and they continue.
The harasser is a customer.
Your employer still has to act once it knows, by moving you, banning the customer or changing the shift.
Will this stay private?
What you tell us is confidential. A lawsuit is public, and we talk that through with you before anything is filed.
Talk it through with a staff attorney
Four questions tell you if we can take it. A call tells you where you stand.
Our help is free for workers who qualify. If a case goes to court, filing and transcript costs can come up; we ask the court to waive them when we can, and we tell you before any cost is yours.