Birmingham Harassment Lawyers
Experienced Defense Against Workplace Harassment in Alabama
Various laws and ordinances protect employees from harassment due to their race, gender, age, and other distinguishing factors. While we normally think of workplace harassment as sexual harassment, this is not always true. Individuals can be victims of several forms of workplace harassment besides sexual harassment.
When supervisors or coworkers repeatedly target you with offensive slurs, derogatory jokes, or discriminatory intimidation, it creates a toxic environment that severely impacts your mental health and professional future. At Michel Allen & Sinor, our Birmingham workplace harassment lawyers understand exactly how isolating and overwhelming this daily abuse can be. We thoroughly investigate your situation, gather crucial evidence of the hostile work environment, and build a compelling case under federal and Alabama employment laws to hold your employer strictly accountable for failing to protect your well-being.
Call Michel Allen & Sinor today at (205) 265-1880 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our harassment attorneys in Birmingham!
What Is Workplace Harassment?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) broadly defines harassment as unwelcome behavior, which can be either verbal or physical.
Two different kinds of treatment can constitute harassment.
- Harassment, severe or pervasive enough to create an uncomfortable or fearful work environment, is hostile. A hostile work environment can be created by someone in management, a co-worker, or even a customer.
- Harassment changes the victim's employment status or benefits (e.g., a demotion, wrongful termination, or denial of promotion). This type of harassment can sometimes be quid pro quo harassment. Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase, "this for that." Given that the nature of this type of harassment affects an employee's status or benefits, it is most often inflicted by those in management positions.
Steps To Take If You Are Being Harassed At Work
When you start to experience ongoing offensive conduct, it can be hard to know how to respond, especially if you worry about retaliation or losing your job. In many Birmingham workplaces, employers have written policies or employee handbooks that outline how to report concerns, and following those procedures can help create a record of your efforts to get the behavior to stop. You may also want to keep a personal log of each incident, including dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and who witnessed it, because these details can be useful later if you decide to meet with a workplace harassment lawyer Birmingham employees turn to for guidance.
It can also be helpful to gather any emails, text messages, social media posts, or photographs that reflect the harassment, and to store copies somewhere safe and private. If your employer has a human resources department, consider making a written complaint that clearly explains what has been happening and how it is affecting your ability to do your job. Employees in Birmingham and across Jefferson County often feel more confident taking these steps after talking with an attorney who can explain how complaints may be used in a charge filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or in a lawsuit.
If you feel unsafe at work, you may need to speak with your supervisor, HR, or another trusted manager about immediate changes to your schedule or work area so that you are not left alone with the person who is targeting you. In more serious situations, you may also decide to make a police report, particularly if there has been physical contact, threats, or stalking-type behavior. While every case is different, workers throughout the Birmingham area, including those who commute from Hoover, Bessemer, and other nearby communities, often find that understanding their options helps them feel more in control of a very difficult situation.
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Read Our Testimonials
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“Mr. Michel got started on my appeal immediately. He was thoroughly prepared when we went to the hearing. I got my job back including back pay. I would recommend him to anyone having issues with their employer.”- J.B.
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“Mary was always great at responding to me and emailing me with monthly updates. They were also very easy to deal with and never made me feel like I was asking a stupid question. Just great people.”- Craig K.
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“They will explain your options and present a plan. Mr. Michel is an excellent negotiator and looked after me. The staff is professional and prompt. Wonderful people, wonderful firm. Thank you.”- K.D.
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“My family has all expressed their deep appreciation for you working on our son's behalf and moving quickly to enable him to come home. That was a huge relief for us all and I could never thank you enough!”- N.R.
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“They don't only just represent you they coach, you on how to get through this tough time and working in a hostile environment.”- James Pruitt
