Proving Your Claim of a Hostile Work Environment

Jennifer Duke
January 27, 2016

The laws prohibiting harassment and hostile work environment are intended to prevent harassment and ensure that employees are not working in environments which are so hostile or intimidating that the employee's work is affected. These laws are not intended to ensure that every employee gets along with every other employee and that everyone is nice to each other.

If you believe that you are being subjected to a hostile work environment, you will need to prove that the events or harassment that you believe makes your work environment intolerable is so constant or severe that not only do you believe it is hostile or harassing, but also that a reasonable person in your situation would also share your feelings.

A hostile work environment can be proven through a series of continuous incidents - such as routinely being disciplined for actions that coworkers outside of your protected class also take without consequence - or through one single incident if the incident is sufficiently severe - such as being threatened by a supervisor using a racial slur.

If you believe that you are being harassed and subjected to a hostile work environment, the federal employee attorneys at Melville Johnson, P.C. may be able to help you build your case and succeed in proving your claim. Call or message us today and we will be happy to work with you to improve your work situation.

This blog and web site published by Melville Johnson, P.C. should not be used as a substitute for seeking competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney. Readers of this information should not act upon any information contained on this blog or website without seeking professional counsel.
Contact us today
If you're a federal employee and feel you've been the victim of unlawful discrimination involving MSPB claims or EEO claims, our experienced federal employment attorneys stand ready to fight on your behalf. Give us a call today at (404) 724-0000 or fill out the form below and we'll be sure to follow up in a timely manner.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
what our clients are saying
“I really appreciate how much Melville Johnson cared about my case. From the very beginning of the process, their federal employee attorneys were friendly and very informative. We won the case, and they were even helpful afterwards, answering any questions or concerns. Thank you Melville Johnson, and I will definitely pass your good work along to others in need.”
- Jim R.
“Despite the complexity of my situation, Melville Johnson took on my claim and immediately put me at ease with a clear demonstration of their expertise with EEO law. From the very start, the firm’s team members have been amazing to work with—hardworking, honest and extremely trustworthy. I would recommend them to anyone who needed this type of legal assistance!”
- Bridget B.
“As a person with a disability working for the federal government, I knew I needed to get the right legal professional assistance for my case. And while the process could have been tedious and overwhelming for a layperson without much legal knowledge, Melville Johnson alleviated all the potential stress involved by taking the guesswork out of my hands. With their help, I received disability approval in record time! I want to thank you for the superior work your firm performed. From my very first contact, your Client Intake Manager took the time to answer all of my initial questions and provide detailed information at every turn. And your attorneys showed nothing but professionalism and kindness throughout the process.”
- Sandra B.
“The consummate professionals at Melville Johnson work closely with you to ensure your rights are being protected. As a current federal employee, I found myself in a situation where the job I was asked to do didn’t match the position description for which I was hired nor the compensation I deserved. With the firm’s help, I was able to obtain back pay and transfer into a position that matched the job I was performing."
- L.M.