A toxic workplace can have severe effects on an employee’s well-being and job performance. However, you have legal rights that empower you to take action against an unprofessional environment.
Proving that a workplace is hostile and discriminatory requires a clear understanding of Indiana’s legal standards. You will also need to understand how to collect solid evidence to support your case.
Understanding the legal standard in Indiana
Discriminatory behavior often targets an individual or group based on protected characteristics. These include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. To justify legal action, the harassment must go beyond mere annoyances or isolated incidents. Indiana employment discrimination law requires that the behavior be significant enough to affect the terms and conditions of employment.
Gathering evidence
To prove a hostile and discriminatory workplace be sure to document every incident of harassment. Keep records of dates, times, locations and any witnesses present. Detailed documentation can help establish a pattern of behavior over time.
Emails, text messages, voicemails and written notes can serve as strong evidence. Save any communications that reveal hostile actions or discriminatory attitudes. These can include inappropriate jokes, offensive remarks or biased statements related to protected characteristics. Witness testimony can also strengthen a case, so it is worth encouraging coworkers to document their experiences as well.
Reporting the behavior
Reporting the discriminatory behavior to a supervisor or human resources department is an important step. This shows that the employee took reasonable steps to address the issue internally. If the employer fails to take corrective action, it can help demonstrate that the hostile environment persists despite the report.
If your workplace is work relationships are toxic, it will negatively affect you and your coworkers. Taking appropriate action to prove that discrimination is occurring will help make the professional environment better for many innocent employees.
