Mental Health, Hostile Work Environments, and Workers' Comp
All too many Americans are forced to contend with a hostile work environment. Often, this kind of environment is linked to sexual harassment in the workplace. Here's why you might have a personal injury or workers' comp case.
Hostile Work Environments Impact Mental Health
Many people fail to realize that sexual harassment and hostile work environments, which can include sexual comments, slurs, and intimidation, are a mental health issue. An individual who has experienced such an environment may then suffer from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In addition to coping with these mental health conditions, you may also have to pay for treatment or take time off work. Obviously, this can be costly. The fees associated with mental health treatment can be extensive, and you might feel that your damages should be covered.
In some cases, they can be.
Other damages aside from mental health treatment include lost wages for days you don't work because you are seeking treatment or because you are intimidated from coming into work.
Hostile Work Environments Are Easily Created
There are a few ways in which a workplace can become hostile. If you have reported sexual harassment or another issue at work, you might discover that co-workers and even those in supervisory roles may behave in ways that are hostile or intimidating. This can take a toll on an employee's mental health.
These are just a few of the many ways in which an employee might experience a hostile work environment:
- Sexually explicit jokes and comments
- Racial comments
- Requests for sexual favors or touching
- Unwanted touching, especially in sexual ways
- Inappropriate questions, often about one's sex life
- Unwanted sexual advances or persistent questions about dating
- Sexual or racial images on display
A hostile work environment can occur even if a supervisor or co-worker does not intend to be intimidating or lewd. You could still have a case even if you were not physically touched or harmed.
Here's What You Can Do
Do you think you have a strong case for workers' compensation or another personal injury? It's time to call an attorney. You deserve representation for your rights, no matter what you have been through.
Today is a great day to set up a consultation with an attorney who can fight for your rights. A workers' comp attorney will help you determine if you have the evidence to make a case based on mental health.
For more information, contact a workers' compensation lawyer today.