Houston, TX – Various forms of illegal harassment are a serious workplace problem. Workers who are affected can lose their ability to perform optimally at their jobs, and in serious cases they may even leave the company. A civil employment lawsuit is usually the best way for workers who were put in this situation to receive compensation and other remedies to make up for their losses. 

The structure of a harassment case

Because there are various forms of gender based discrimination and harassment, these lawsuits follow the structure of many other standard discrimination claims related to workplace behavior. There are laws that describe discriminatory workplace behavior as a severe or pervasive type of conduct that is unwelcome and affects the victim’s ability to function in their job roles. The victim needs to provide information and evidence that will help prove each element of the claim in order to prevail. 

Any kind of illegal harassment needs to be unwelcome. This means that the victim should make it clear to their superiors or coworkers that they should stop engaging in the offending behavior immediately. The victim should also document the time that they warn the offenders. 

The conduct needs to be severe or continuous in nature. In most cases, this means that there will usually be multiple incidents of harassment, or at least a severe problem such as a worker being told that they need to engage in sexual conduct to keep their job. 

A hostile work environment is another type of harassment claim. This means that the victim has been so thoroughly bothered by their harassers at work that they cannot function as normally and may even be forced to quit their job. 

Bringing the lawsuit

In most cases, the victim should report the problematic behavior to a human resources department or utilize whatever formal process the employer has available. A formal complaint may sometimes be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit.  

If the victim still feels that they need to take legal action, the first step is to retain an attorney, share the evidence of the misconduct, and have them either file a complaint with a government agency such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or to start the process to bring a civil harassment lawsuit. The lawyer can guide the victim through these processes and argue for damages related to lost pay and opportunities, along with other problems caused by the illegal behavior. 

Getting help from a local labor law firm

Workers who need to explore the possibility of a civil lawsuit can contact a local firm for more information. Moore and Associates serves workers in the Houston area with expert advice and representation. 

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates 

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002 

713-222-6775 

www.mooreandassociates.net