Workplace bullying can undermine your confidence, create an unhealthy work environment, and impact your physical and mental health. No one wants to go to work knowing that they will face verbal or physical harassment—and even less when you feel like you do not know where to turn. However, everyone deserves to understand their rights and seek justice for any form of harassment in the workplace. Let our Marlton employment lawyers at Burnham Douglass guide you through your first steps to protect yourself.
What Is Workplace Bullying?
Workplace bullying involves repeated intimidating, humiliating, or threatening behavior, and it can come from supervisors, colleagues, or even subordinates. The bullying may look like verbal abuse, exclusion from important meetings, false rumors, or excessive and unfair criticism—and unlike constructive feedback, workplace bullying is designed to harm, not help.
How Does Workplace Bullying Affect You?
Workplace bullying has affected our clients’ work performance, heightened their stress, increased their anxiety, and even turned into physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue. A toxic work environment can also hinder your professional growth by damaging your reputation or preventing you from seeking new opportunities. The effects of bullying can also seep into your personal life, disrupting your relationships, mental stability, and overall well-being.
Are There Laws Protecting You Against Workplace Bullying?
While not every legal jurisdiction regulates workplace bullying, many laws against harassment, discrimination, and hostile work environments can protect you from harassing behavior. For example, if you believe that you are being targeted because of your race, gender, religion, or another protected characteristic, you may have a strong legal claim.
What Are Your Rights as an Employee?
Employees have the right to work in an environment free from harassment and hostility, and the law requires employers to address your complaints of bullying in a safe and timely manner. When you first notice bullying, document every instance, including dates, times, and descriptions. Then, take your journal to your supervisor or to your HR department if you feel safe doing so. If your employer fails to take appropriate action when you need it, you can escalate the issue through legal channels.
How Can an Employment Lawyer Help?
When you hire an employment lawyer to advocate for you, they can assess your claims of bullying, gather the necessary evidence to build you a strong case and guide you through filing a claim or negotiating a resolution. They can also advise you on how to prevent retaliation when you file a report, minimizing the chance that you face additional harm because of your report. In short, a seasoned employment lawyer can help you secure justice and hold your bullies accountable.
Get Legal Help from the Marlton Employment Lawyers at Burnham Douglass
You deserve a workplace that is free of harassment, abuse, and bullying—so when you need a lawyer by your side to face your workplace bullies with confidence, trust the Marlton employment lawyers at Burnham Douglass to advocate for you and protect your interests. We will help you assert your rights and provide you with the legal support and guidance you need to confront your workplace harassers effectively and confidently. Call us at 856-751-5505 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our office locations in Marlton and Northfield, New Jersey, proudly serve clients in South Jersey, including Marlton, Evesham Township, Cherry Hill, Camden County, Burlington County, Northfield, and Atlantic City.