Can You Bring a Workplace Harassment Claim for Something Other than Sexual Harassment in Connecticut?

No worker should be subject to a hostile work environment on the basis of a legally protected characteristic. An employee whose rights have been violated may have a workplace harassment claim. You may be wondering: Can you bring an employment claim for non-sexual harassment? The short answer is “yes”—state and federal anti-discrimination laws protect workers against the full range of harassment. You may have a claim for racial harassment, age-based harassment, or another type of non-sexual harassment. Here, our Connecticut workplace harassment attorneys explain the key things to know about bringing a claim for other types of harassment. 

What is Workplace Harassment?

Broadly speaking, workplace harassment is  unwelcome conduct in the workplace that is based on a protected characteristic—such as race, gender, age, or disability. The conduct can be verbal, physical, or visual and can create a work environment that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive. Harassment goes beyond mere incivility or isolated comments. To qualify, it must involve a pattern of behavior that significantly affects an employee’s ability to perform their job duties. 

Harassment can manifest in various forms—from derogatory remarks to offensive jokes to slurs to epithets to physical assaults to threats or intimidation.  It is important to emphasize that harassment does not necessarily have to result in adverse personnel action—like being fired or demoted. Instead, harassment is unlawful if it creates a work environment that a reasonable person would consider hostile. 

You Can Bring a Claim for Harassment Based On Any Protected Characteristic

To be clear, sexual harassment is by no means the only type of workplace harassment. In Connecticut employees are protected from harassment based on a wide range of characteristics. While sexual harassment is often highlighted, harassment claims can also be brought based on:

• Race; 
• Color; 
• National origin; 
• Religion; 
• Age; and
• Disability status.  

The Takeaway: If you are being subjected to unwelcome conduct because of any of these characteristics, you have the right to bring a harassment claim. For instance, if you are constantly mocked or ostracized because of your religious beliefs, you may have a harassment claim. 

Know the Elements of a Workplace Harassment Claim in Connecticut

Being mocked or insulted is not, by itself, enough to prove workplace harassment. You must prove a hostile work environment on the basis of a legally protected characteristic in order to hold an employer liable. More specifically, bringing  a successful workplace harassment claim in Connecticut requires demonstrating each of the following core elements: 

1. Membership in a Protected Class: You must belong to a group protected by anti-discrimination laws—such as race, gender, age, or disability status. Workplace harassment claims must be tied to a protected characteristic to be viable.  
2. Unwelcome Harassment: The conduct you experienced must be unwelcome. You must establish that you did not solicit or incite it and that you regarded the conduct as undesirable or offensive. An objective standard is used to assess the conduct. 
3. Harassment Based on a Protected Characteristic: The harassment must be directly related to your protected characteristic. General workplace disputes or personality conflicts not tied to a protected class typically do not qualify for a harassment claim. 
4. Severe or Pervasive Conduct: Finally, harassment must be severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. It can be a single severe incident or a pattern of repeated conduct.

What to Do If You Were the Victim of Workplace Harassment Claim in Connecticut

No employee in Connecticut should be forced to endure repeated harassment on the basis of their race, their gender, their age, their disability status, or any other protected characteristic. If you were a victim of a hostile work environment, it is imperative that you take immediate action. Doing so is key for both your own well-being and for your legal rights. Here are three steps to take if you were the victim of workplace harassment in Connecticut: 

1. Document It: Comprehensive documentation can make a difference. You should keep a detailed record of all incidents of harassment. Include dates, times, locations, names of the harasser(s), witnesses present, and a description of the events. Documentation can serve as critical evidence should you decide to pursue a legal claim in Connecticut. 
2. Report It: You have the right to report workplace harassment to your employer without facing a retribution from your employer. You should follow your company’s internal procedures for reporting harassment. Most often, this involves notifying your supervisor or human resources (HR) department. Reporting the harassment gives your employer the opportunity to address the issue and can make it easier to bring a successful claim. 
3. Consult With a Lawyer: Workplace harassment claims are complicated. You do not have to take on the claims process alone. A top-tier Connecticut employment law attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate the strength of your claim, and advise you on the best course of action. You may be entitled to compensation and other forms of relief. 

How Our Connecticut Workplace Harassment Lawyers Can Help

Workplace harassment claims are complicated. If you were subject to any form of a hostile work environment based on a protected characteristic—whether sex, race, or otherwise—it is imperative that you have professional representation. At Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC, we are proud to be strong, experienced advocates for employee rights in Connecticut. Our client testimonials and representative case results demonstrate what we can do for workers in workplace harassment cases. An initial consultation is always fully confidential.  

Contact Our Connecticut Workplace Harassment Attorney Today

At Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC, our Connecticut employee rights attorney take on all types of workplace harassment claims—including both sexual harassment and non-sexual harassment. If you have any questions about your rights or your options, we are here as a legal resource. Call us at (860) 522-8888 or contact us online for a confidential initial consultation. With offices in Hartford and Milford, we handle workplace harassment claims throughout all of Connecticut. 

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