Employers are clearly liable for instances of employment discrimination and harassment they themselves perpetrate. Likewise, they are usually liable for instances of discrimination and harassment by managers and supervisors they employ.
What you may not realize, however, is that under some circumstances your employer can be liable for harassment perpetrated upon you by your co-workers. For this reason, it is important to inform your employer promptly if you have been a victim of discrimination by your co-workers or anyone else in the course of your employment.
That’s why it’s important for you, as a victim of discrimination, to promptly report any acts of harassment or the existence of a hostile work environment to your employer. If your employer has a grievance procedure in place for such matters, use it as soon as you can. If not, inform your employer through any other reasonable means.
Most employers take swift action once they learn of the conduct, so it is important to cooperate with any reasonable investigation or corrective measures they take. If, however, your employer does not adequately respond to your complaints or if the solution offered seems unfair or inadequate, it may be time to contact a New Jersey hostile work environment lawyer.