Pittsburgh, PA Hostile Work Environment Lawyer

Sex Harassment Attorney in Allegheny County

At Colianni & Leonard LLC, we understand the impact that workplace sexual harassment can have on the lives of victims of such behavior. Pennsylvania and federal laws break most cases of sexual harassment down into to two categories. The first category is "quid pro quo" harassment, which is the offer of work-related benefits or perks in return for a sexual relationship or unwanted physical contact. This type of harassment may be direct or implied, and it is generally perpetrated by someone in a position of authority, including managers or supervisors.

The second category involves the creation of a hostile work environment. Hostile work environment sexual harassment occurs when sexually-charged actions, crude language, physical contact, or offensive materials make it impossible for a person to do his or her job properly. While both types of harassment can cause serious harm to victims, those forced to work in a hostile environment often struggle to find the help and support they need. If you have experienced hostile work environment sexual harassment, our skilled team is prepared to assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Proving a Hostile Work Harassment Claim in Western Pennsylvania

While it is possible for hostile work environment claim to be based on a single, severe occurrence, most such behavior occurs over the course of weeks, months, or even years. An isolated incident, such as one off-color joke, may be inappropriate, and it should be reported to management or human resources, but it is probably not enough to create a hostile work environment. If one joke turns into many, or other co-workers join in, the situation becomes much more serious.

Attorney Vincent Colianni is an experienced employment discrimination attorney who understands the elements necessary for proving a hostile work environment claim. He and his team will help you show that:

• The actions, comments, or behavior discriminated against you on the basis of a protected characteristic, which includes sex;
• The behavior was pervasive and took place over a period of time;
• The behavior was severe enough to disrupt your ability to work or the progress of your career;
• Your employer knew about or should have known about the existence of the problem; and
• Your employer failed to take appropriate action to stop the behavior and to prevent reoccurrences.

In many cases, hostile work environment sexual harassment can be stopped if your employer knows that it is happening. A failure to act can lead to serious consequences for the company.

Contact Us Today

If you have been victimized by a hostile work environment due to sexual harassment, you may be entitled to compensation. Recovering damages, however, can be difficult and requires the guidance of a skilled employment discrimination attorney.

To learn more about our firm and how we can help you with your case, contact our office. Call 412-680-7877 for a free, confidential consultation. There is no risk because you owe us nothing unless we obtain a verdict or settlement in your favor. At Colianni & Leonard LLC, we represent clients in Wexford, Valencia, Gibsonia, McCandless, Ross Township, Franklin Park, Bakerstown, Westview, Allegheny County, and greater Pittsburgh.