Independent contractors can sue for harassment. They maintain the same rights as businesses. If treated unfairly, they can partner with a harassment and hostile work environment lawyer in Boston to seek justice.
For more information about how independent contractors can sue for harassment, consult with an attorney. From here, your lawyer can learn about your harassment and explain the legal process of filing a lawsuit to you. If you decide to sue, your attorney can submit your lawsuit.
What Is Harassment?
Harassment is a form of “unwelcome conduct” and employer discrimination, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Examples of harassment include:
- Bullying
- Sexual comments
- Racial slurs
- Intimidation
- Physical assault
- Retaliation in the workplace
No one should be subject to these or other offensive behaviors, but federal laws do not always protect independent contractors from harassment. A Boston employment discrimination lawyer understands this. They fight for the rights of independent contractors and can help you prove your employer should be held responsible for the harassment that you have endured.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
When Can Independent Contractors Sue for Harassment?
Independent contractors generally have 180 calendar days from the date they suffer harassment to sue an employer. This deadline may be extended to 300 calendar days under certain circumstances. To collect damages in a harassment lawsuit, you must show that you were subject to unwelcome conduct based on any of these factors:
- Gender
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Religion
- Size
- Weight
- Age
- Marital status
- Disability
Meet with an employment discrimination lawyer in Boston to file a harassment lawsuit. They can review your case and evaluate your legal options with you. Next, your attorney can help you hold your employer accountable for their harmful actions toward you.
What Evidence Do Independent Contractors Need to Sue for Harassment?
Independent contractors can file a lawsuit without proof, but doing so is unlikely to help them achieve their desired case results. Alternatively, you can use emails, text messages, audio and video recordings, medical records, and other forms of proof to support your case. Your evidence helps confirm the following:
- You are the victim of discrimination against a protected class of people.
- You have been forced to deal with derogatory jokes, ethnic slurs, or other offensive conduct.
- You face unwelcome behaviors.
- You cannot work to the best of your ability due to the fact that you are dealing with these things.
A Boston employment harassment lawyer can explain how to prove discrimination in detail. They can gather evidence, establish a timeline in which you were victimized, and find witnesses to testify on your behalf. They will also make sure your lawsuit is filed right away.
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What Should Independent Contractors Do Before They Sue for Harassment?
Independent contractors should report harassment to their employer and give them the opportunity to stop it. If you do this and harassment continues, collect evidence since this gives you proof you can use in a lawsuit against your employer. Then, file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC.
The EEOC will investigate your claim and determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit. If so, the EEOC will give you a Notice of Right to Sue. You have up to 90 days from the date you receive this notice to sue your employer.
Your lawyer can help you report your harassment to the EEOC and move forward with your lawsuit if you receive a Notice of Right to Sue. They understand how difficult it can be to tell others about your harassment. Throughout your litigation, your attorney protects your legal rights, helping you hold your employer liable for their actions.
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Should Independent Contractors Sue for Harassment?
Independent contractors should sue for harassment if they have reported the issue to their employer and their employer chooses not to do anything about it. It is an employer’s responsibility to provide a harassment-free workplace. If you tell your employer about your harassment and they do nothing, contact an attorney who can help you sue.
By suing your employer for harassment, you could receive economic and non-economic damages. You can recover economic compensation for medical bills based on physical harm and emotional trauma relating to your harassment. In addition, you could get compensation for pain and suffering and other subjective harm.
Your lawsuit could also inspire others to speak up about workplace harassment. If your employer has ignored harassment claims and workers have been worried about what will happen if they report it, your actions could lead them to sue. This could prompt meaningful changes in which all employees are able to work without fear of harassment moving forward.
Get Legal Help from Boston Harassment and Hostile Work Environment Lawyers
Many independent contractors work diligently to find clients and keep them happy. Regardless, harassment is inexcusable. If you are an independent contractor coping with harassment, partner with a Boston employer discrimination attorney who puts your legal rights front and center.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we proudly serve clients across New England. Our Boston harassment and hostile work environment attorneys represent independent contractors in discrimination cases, providing them with the support they need in the face of workplace adversity. Contact us to discuss your harassment case with our lawyers.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form