Minnesota Harassment Lawyers

Types of Harassment in Minnesota Workplaces

Harassment can take many forms, targeting different personal characteristics, such as your sex, religion, or ethnicity. It is vital to address these issues promptly, as they can significantly impact your emotional well-being, job satisfaction, and overall job performance. 

Workplace harassment can also affect those around you who witness such tolerated unfair behavior, which makes the work environment unsafe. 

Workplace harassment can include but is not limited to: 

• Sexual harassment: This includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can manifest as quid pro quo harassment, where job-related benefits are contingent upon submitting to sexual demands, or as a hostile work environment, where pervasive unwanted conduct interferes with your work performance or creates an intimidating atmosphere.
• Racial harassment: This form of harassment involves discrimination and unwelcome conduct based on an individual’s race or ethnicity. It can include demeaning remarks, racial slurs, or offensive jokes related to one’s racial background, contributing to a hostile work environment.
• Sexual orientation harassment: Harassment targeting someone’s sexual orientation can include derogatory comments, jokes, or offensive behavior aimed at creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. This type of discrimination is illegal and can contribute to a toxic work situation.
• Age harassment: This involves unwelcome comments or conduct directed at an individual because of their age, usually targeting older employees. It can include belittling remarks, jokes, or behavior, or exclusion from opportunities for development and promotion.
• Disability harassment: Discrimination targeting individuals with disabilities can manifest as mocking or disparaging comments or treatment, refusal to provide reasonable accommodations or other behaviors that undermine the dignity of those with physical or mental challenges.

These and other forms of harassment can create a hostile work environment. Such a working environment occurs when the offensive behavior becomes so severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of employment and creates an intimidating or abusive work atmosphere for the victim. The harassment needs to be more than just occasional remarks; it must impact your ability to perform your job effectively or feel safe at work.

Laws Protecting Minnesotans from Workplace Harassment

Minnesotans are protected under several laws that prohibit workplace harassment. The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) is a comprehensive state law that outlaws discrimination and harassment in employment based on numerous protected characteristics. 

Additionally, federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act offer strong protections against workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Remedies Available to Combat Workplace Harassment

If you are a victim of workplace harassment, you have several remedies available. You may file a complaint with a state agency, such as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at the federal level. Legal action can also be pursued.

Available legal remedies can include compensatory damages, job reinstatement, back pay, or policy changes within the offending organization. Seeking legal guidance can help you understand your rights and explore the options best suited to your situation.