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November 2016

Law

How to Make a Harassment Claim Against an Employer

Being harassed at work can make being there uncomfortable and it creates a hostile environment for you. If you’re being harassed by a coworker, you can report it to a supervisor and it will usually be taken care of. However, when your harasser is a supervisor or manager, what do you do? Taking these steps will help you get legal assistance when you’re being harassed at your workplace by a superior.

What Is Harassment?

Under the law, harassment is any behaviours that are offensive to someone or that make him or her feel intimidated. Harassment by an employer may take the form of unfair treatment, malicious rumours being spread about you, undermining your work, or denying you training or promotion opportunities.

This harassment can take place face-to-face, by email, by telephone, or by sending you a letter. The law states this type of behaviour is harassment if it is related to your:

  • Age
  • Sex
  • Disabilities
  • Gender, including gender reassignment
  • Marriage or civil partnership
  • Race
  • Religion or belief system
  • Sexual orientation
  • Pregnancy and maternity status

How to Report Harassment

If you are being harassed by a superior at work, there are some steps you should take prior to seeking help from Dorking solicitors. It is always a good idea to document any and all of the times you felt harassed by your employer and to keep any documentation you may receive from them. While you don’t necessarily need to prove that it is taking place to report it, it is always a good idea to have specific information of the occurrences. Follow the protocol at work to report instances of harassment including reporting it to human resources, another manager, and your trade union if applicable.

If reporting the harassment doesn’t result in action being taken, then file a grievance with your employer using their procedures. If your company doesn’t have procedures set up to report harassment, seek a solicitor to help you take legal action at an employment tribunal.

Employment Tribunals

A tribunal is a way to make a legal claim of harassment against an employer. It is not the same as going to court because the tribunal is independent of the government. Their role is to listen to the parties involved including you (the claimant) and the respondent (the employer).

employment-tribunals

Since there are time limits for making claims, you should consult with a solicitor to get his or her advice and help with the paperwork that you will need to fill out. He or she can also help advocate on your behalf as the claim moves forward and make sure all the steps are taken prior to any hearing regarding your claim. Your solicitor will also help you prepare all the necessary documentation including a schedule of losses to present during the proceedings.

A schedule of losses will consist of two parts: the basic award and the compensatory award. Your lawyer will discuss this information with you and help you come up with a compensation amount for your claim. If you’ve reported your superior and nothing seems to have been done, contact a solicitor regarding a harassment claim.

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Law

Why You Should Hire A Premises Liability Lawyer?

Premises liability law is a special branch of law that holds landlords and premise owners responsible for the accidents that happen owing to their negligence. For example, if you were at a construction site and falling debris can caused a major mishap, you have the right to ask for compensation. Of course, proving such cases can be really complicated, and that’s where you can take the help of a premises liability lawyer.

When is the owner responsible?

All trip and fall cases aren’t covered under premises liability law. There are three major cases where owners can be held responsible. In case the condition was known to the owner and he refused to take the required steps for prevention, he may be held responsible for an accident on the premise. Secondly, if the owner has been too ignorant about a dangerous condition, despite having adequate clues, and thirdly, if the owner has created the condition on his own, out of intention and negligence.

workplace compensation

How can lawyers help?

A personal injury lawyer knows all aspects of the premises liability law and can help you frame a case. He is also the right person to advice if you should initiate a claim in the first place. He will also guide and assist you through all the paperwork, and since such cases are often settled out of the court, he can undertake the negotiation and ensure that your rights are protected. Lawyers also help in the investigation process, and their expertise can often turn cases for the clients.

Finding a lawyer

If you are looking for a lawyer to deal with premises liability, make sure that you check their work experience with such cases. He should be able to offer time and attention demanded by the case, and based on your needs, he should be able to handle paperwork and related documentation. Also, ask the concerned legal firm about their charges and whether you need to pay anything for the investigation at the start of the case. Legal services are meant to help, and therefore, you need to hire a team that can be trusted for all needs.

workplace accidents

Lastly, do not fret in cases you or someone you know is involved in an accident. Try and consult your lawyer as early as possible, so that there are no lapses in the initial investigation and procedures that matter. Check now to find a legal firm in your area.

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