You show up every day, work hard and meet your deadlines. Yet, you find your work environment has become hostile. Your supervisor gives you impossible tasks with unrealistic deadlines, withholds information you need to succeed or criticizes you for problems outside your control. If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering whether they are intentionally setting you up to fail.
Recognizing the warning signs of workplace harassment or discrimination and your options can help protect your career and mental well-being.
What are the warning signs?
Certain patterns of behavior may indicate your employer or supervisor is creating conditions designed to sabotage you, including:
- Giving you tasks outside your role without proper training or help
- Leaving you out of key meetings or important updates
- Criticizing your work after previously giving positive reviews
- Taking credit for your successes but calling out your mistakes
These actions can create a work environment where success becomes nearly impossible.
When does workplace mistreatment become harassment?
When an employer or supervisor treats you differently based on your race, gender, age, or disability or other protected characteristics, it may cross into illegal workplace harassment or discrimination. This is different from general workplace conflicts or personality clashes.
For example, a manager who constantly checks on everyone can be frustrating, but that behavior alone does not count as harassment. But when a supervisor only scrutinizes the work of employees over 40 while being more lenient to younger workers, the pattern may indicate unlawful discriminatory practice.
What legal options can you pursue?
If you believe you are the target of workplace harassment or discrimination, there are different ways to approach your situation. You can file a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), which investigates discrimination claims under state law. Alternatively, you can submit a charge to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces federal anti-discrimination statutes as well.
Both agencies investigate claims and may offer mediation services. If you wish to file a lawsuit, you can request a “right-to-sue” letter from either agency allowing you to pursue your case in court.
When choosing to pursue legal action, it is important to know that anti-discrimination laws have a time limit to file the charge. You are generally given 180 calendar days from when the discrimination occurred. This deadline extends to 300 calendar days in states such as Ohio where state agencies enforce similar laws.
By filing a lawsuit, you may seek financial compensation for lost income, health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits you missed from when the discrimination began until the case is resolved. If returning to your previous position is not realistic, you may also receive front pay. This covers future lost earnings until you can reasonably find a similar job.
Federal law also protects you from retaliation. Employers cannot punish workers who file complaints, assist in investigations or oppose discriminatory practices. If retaliation occurs after you file a complaint, you may have a separate legal claim in addition to your original discrimination case. This could allow you to recover damages for both the harassment and the retaliation.
Consulting with an employment attorney can help you understand which option fits your circumstances. They can evaluate the strength of your case, explain the potential outcomes and guide you through the legal process.