When we think of workplace safety, we usually think of protections relating to heavy machinery or hazardous chemicals or something of that nature, but there are several laws protecting workers, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, The Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Act.
One lesser-known right of employees is protection from harassment. Federal laws prohibit harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or protected activity (such as filing a discrimination complaint or participating in a discrimination investigation or lawsuit). A hostile work environment may also violate the law. An employer is legally responsible for providing a workplace free of harassment, whether it be from a supervisor or a fellow employee. If the employer knows about, or should have known about, harassment taking place and fails to take prompt corrective action, they can be legally liable. Offensive conduct may include jokes, slurs, physical threats, assault, intimidation, mockery, insults, or interference with work.
We are here to help you. If you are the victim of harassment, or you witness harassment taking place, you should notify your employer immediately. Your employer is responsible for protecting you. You can also take advantage of the AFM #NotMe app to report (anonymously if you wish) cases of harassment to the AFM. Visit: https://app.not-me.com and use the PIN: 1896AFM. For more information, visit https://www.worker.gov/harassment/ or https://www.eeoc.gov/youth/harassment-faqs.