When is Work Harassment Illegal?
First Type
Oklahoma state law makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against its employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. There are two main categories of workplace harassment. The first is referred to as Quid Pro Quo Harassment. This kind of harassment generally involves an employee being treated differently, either better or worse, depending on their acceptance or denial of sexual advances or religious beliefs.
Second Type
The second type is workplace harassment is called Hostile Work Environment Harassment. A hostile work environment is created when an employee must regularly work with supervisors, co workers or other personnel whose behavior or unwelcome conduct renders the work environment offensive or intimidating.
In order for harassment to be found in violation of the law, specific criteria must be met. First, a person must be subjected to the harassment specifically because of their protected status, and the unwanted behavior must be severe and pervasive enough to be deemed hostile and/or abusive by a reasonable person.
To discuss your case with our work harassment lawyers schedule your free consultation today.