Understanding Hostile Work Environment Claims: Key Points and Legal Steps (Full Transcript)

Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Sabrina Shaheen Cronin, the founder of the Cronin Law Firm, where helping you is our passion. There is a concept in Michigan law, and in many other states, called hostile work environment. Today, I'd like to go over some of the main ideas surrounding this issue. Many people have a boss or even a co-worker that yells and screams at work and creates a high level of stress, but rest assured, you are not alone. A recent survey of 10,000 employees showed that 75% of workers think their boss is hostile and creates an uncomfortable place for them to work and do their job. However, although you may think that you're in a hostile work environment, in some states like Michigan, you may or may not have a claim against your employer, unless the hostility is a discriminatory one. Let me explain. Under Michigan law, to win a claim against your employer for a hostile work environment, you must prove four key things. First, the actions, communication, or behavior you're complaining about is discriminatory toward a protected classification, such as your race, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Second, the actions, communication, or behavior is persistent and pervasive over time and not limited to a single action or comment. The issue will be considered pervasive if it's done around another employee and continues over time, but is not investigated or addressed by your employer so that it can be stopped. And third, the actions, communication, or behavior are so severe to the point that it has disrupted your work or your career. And finally, number four, you have made your employer aware of the problem, but your employer refused to take any action to stop it. Remember, under many states, including Michigan, if the person that is making your work environment hostile is a coworker or your boss, you must notify your employer in writing and allow your employer a chance to fix the problem before you file a lawsuit. Just mentioning the problem to your coworker or your supervisor isn't enough to hold your employer responsible. I suggest even if your state law doesn't require you to do this, you should do so in order to protect yourself in any potential case you may have. If you are faced with such a situation, what should you do? Well, you should ask the person creating the hostility to stop his or her behavior. If that doesn't work, you must file a report with your human resources department. Make sure the report is in writing. That's very important. And if this doesn't solve the problem, contact an experienced employment attorney who can counsel and advise you on the next steps to preserve your claim. At the Cronin Law Firm, we counsel people in many different settings who are under pressure unsure of their legal options and how will it affect or impact their careers. Call us now for a free consultation to see if you have a claim. At the Cronin Law Firm, caring for you, our clients, is our passion. And if you liked what you saw today, please like our channel and subscribe to it. We'll be uploading content regularly. Thanks for watching. you