Federal and California laws protect you from being subjected to slurs, jokes, or derogatory remarks at work. Either your bosses or your co-workers can commit harassment when they create a negative atmosphere based on who you are -- your race, sex, gender, age, disability, religion, nationality, medical condition (including pregnancy) or sexual orientation.
Some of the circumstances that constitute harassment include the following:
- Slurs, derogatory remarks, or jokes based on race, sex, gender, age, disability, religion, nationality, medical condition (including pregnancy), or sexual orientation;
- Unwanted comments, advances, flirting, propositions, or touching of a sexual nature, including demands for sex as a condition for your getting a raise or promotion;
- Photos or words posted that are visible to you and other workers and that make an offensive statement;
- Emails, Tweets or other computer-based comments; or,
- Any workplace conduct that a reasonable person would find offensive.
Therefore, if either your employer or other workers have treated you unfairly, you could have a claim.