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Hostile Work Environment

New Jersey Lawyers Represent Victims of Hostile Work Environments

Sexual harassment attorneys combat offensive conduct in the workplace

Hostile work environment sexual harassment occurs when an employee is subjected to unwelcome verbal or physical treatment so pervasive that it makes the workplace hostile or intolerable. This type of conduct can involve co-workers, superiors, or even individuals whom employees deal with or who enter the work environment (such as customers or vendors).  A direct employer need not participate in the behavior. The company may be liable if it does not have policies in place to deal with such misconduct and does not promptly take remedial action when the employer learns of the conduct and/or the targeted employee complains. Elements of a hostile work environment can include sexually charged language, graffiti, photographs or images, websites, sexual banter or jokes, leering, unwanted touching, provocative gestures, offensive emails and graphic images posted in the workplace. If you have been subjected to a persistent atmosphere of unwelcome sexual conduct in your workplace, you may have a legal claim for compensation for a hostile work environment.

Law firm litigates all types of hostile work environment claims

The kind of sexual harassment that creates a hostile work environment can be committed by a man or a woman, and the victim can be a male or a female. Additionally, sexual harassment can occur between people of the same sex. We will analyze your situation to see if the following legal elements exist in support of a claim:

  • Offensive speech or conduct — Though hostile work environment claims are usually associated with sexual harassment, other types of workplace discrimination can give rise to a legal action. For example, if you are being subjected to abuse because of your race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or because you are pregnant, you can make a claim if the elements are met.
  • Severe or pervasive mistreatment — The misconduct in question must be severe or pervasiveor a combination of both. Hostile work environment harassment typically differs from quid pro quo sexual harassment actions, which can be based on just one encounter.
  • Reasonable person standard — The fact that a worker is offended is not necessarily enough to support a hostile work environment suit. Whether specific behavior amounts to a hostile work environment depends upon whether a reasonable person (in the employee’s category) would react under the same circumstances (e.g., would a reasonable woman find the conduct to be sexually offensive).

Our founding partners have more than 50 years of combined legal experience representing the victims of employment discrimination and harassment. Working with our associates, we have obtained millions of dollars for thousands of employees whose rights were violated.

Skilled employment advocates guide you through each step of your case

If your workplace has become intolerable and you don’t know where to turn, our accomplished sexual harassment lawyers can explain your options and take action by:

  • Complaining to your employer — Communicating forcefully and effectively, we put your employer on notice of the severe problem.
  • Requesting administrative action — Our firm may file claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of clients when the harassment will not end.
  • Filing a lawsuit — When appropriate, we may represent you in a lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damage.

Employees should be able to work without fear of unlawful harassment due to gender, age, race, national origin, disability or sex. If your work environment has become untenable for any of these reasons, we will work tirelessly to protect your rights.

Contact a skillful New Jersey hostile work environment attorney

Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. represents New Jersey plaintiffs in hostile work environment matters and other types of sexual harassment cases. Please call 551-245-8894 or contact us online to schedule a meeting at our Hackensack office, located across the street from the Bergen County Courthouse.

Neil  H.  Deutsch Attorney Photo
Neil H. Deutsch
Retired

Neil H. Deutsch has been practicing law for over 35 years and is known as a skilled negotiator in employment and discrimination law. He believes in a bottom-line approach of risk analysis and cost effectiveness for his clients. "Case evaluation is something we take seriously," says Mr. Deutsch who seeks top net dollar for his…

Bruce  L.  Atkins Attorney Photo
Bruce L. Atkins
Senior Partner

Bruce L. Atkins is regarded as one of New Jersey’s premier practitioners of employment and civil litigation. He has been selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers prestigious list every year since 2005.  This honor, bestowed upon a recipient by the votes of his peers, is a powerful nod to the skill Mr. Atkins brings…

Adam  J.  Kleinfeldt Attorney Photo
Adam J. Kleinfeldt
Partner

Adam J. Kleinfeldt joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in March of 2015.  He primarily represents individuals in employment litigations such as discrimination, retaliation, and whistle blowing matters.  He has extensive experience in all phases of the litigation process. Adam has obtained significant results for some of his clients, including a $525,000 jury verdict in…

Diane  Englander  Peyser Attorney Photo
Diane Englander Peyser
Attorney

Diane Englander Peyser joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in September 2018 where she represents employees in wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, and discrimination matters. Prior to joining Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C., Diane represented clients in all aspects of employment law on behalf of employees involving unemployment appeals, claims of sexual harassment, LGBT discrimination, disability…

Debra M. McGarvey Attorney Photo
Debra M. McGarvey
Attorney

Debra M. McGarvey joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in December 2019. She has extensive experience defending employees and employers in state and federal court in employment litigation matters. She has represented clients on various issues arising out of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the…

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    5.0/5.0

    I don’t usually write many reviews, but in early 2021 I was asked if I wanted to write an update to my initial review talking about my experience as a client, so I said “yeah I want to talk, but for just a minute.” After a long and voluminous l...

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    5.0/5.0

    Diane Englander Peyser and Bruce Atkins provided extensive subject matter knowledge and guided us through very complicated legal system; resulting in positive outcome that we could not have achieved on our own. Great office atmosphere with friendly a...

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    Psiumis J

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    5.0/5.0

    I am extremely satisfied with my experience with Duetsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt law firm. Diane Peyser was always attentive with any questions or concerns I had during my case. I always felt like I was her number one priority when I needed her during t...

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    megan verrico

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    5.0/5.0

    I am grateful to Bruce and his firm for his professionalism and guidance. His experience and calm demeanor really helped me through a tough case. He settled it very quickly which allowed me to put it behind me and move on. I highly recommend Bruce.

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    Having been a litigation attorney myself, I've seen it all from the "inside". I know that far too many lawyers care only about profit and have very little interest in the actual law or their clients. So I was very careful in selecting an attorney t...

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