HKM Wins at Trial. HKM served as co-counsel representing defendants Delta Inn, Inc. and Hung G. Kim in a multi-million claim regarding the ownership of Delta Inn. Click here to read more.

Congratulations to Partners Donald W. Heyrich and Dan Kalish who were recognized by Washington Law and Politics once again. Donald W. Heyrich was named a SuperLawyer by the magazine, and Dan Kalish was named a Rising Star. Click here to read more.

HKM Wins Jury Verdict For Former Employee. HKM represented plaintiff Wendy Dorn in two-week jury trial regarding overtime wages. Click here to read more.

HKM Obtains Class Certification in Overtime Claim. On September 13, 2011, the Federal District Court in Oregon certified a class of Sleep Country sales associates in an overtime claim against the company. Click here to read more.

HKM Writes Employment Discrimination Section of the Washington State Practice Manual. Click here to read more.

HKM Prevails in Non-Compete Case. HKM represented Robert Heffner, current CEO of Falck North America, in non-compete lawsuit filed by Rural Metro Corp. Click here to read more.

HKM Defends Employee In Non-Compete Case. When an ex-employee of insynQ, Inc. was sued by the company for alleged violations of her non-compete agreement, she hired HKM. Click here to read more.

HKM Wards Off Vulcan Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss. HKM is representing a former employee who is suing Vulcan Inc. for discriminatory and harassing treatment, retaliation, and character defamation (among other things). Click here to read more.

HKM Files Wage Claim Lawsuit. Representing a former employee of Moxy, Inc. HKM filed a lawsuit against the company for wages and payments owed to the employee. Click here to read more.

HKM Takes Aim at Unsolicited Text Messages. Representing multiple consumers, HKM has filed class-action lawsuits against corporate entities charged with sending a barrage of unsolicited text messages (SMS). Click here to read more.

Portland Employment Law: Hostile Work Environment

What is a hostile work environment?

While there are no laws specifically governing a "hostile work environment" stated as such, certain laws on workplace discrimination and harassment can apply to these situations. In life, a hostile work environment can occur due to workplace conduct which is contrary to your comfort and peace of mind as an employee. The perpetrator may be your immediate boss, a senior staff member, a co-worker or someone not directly employed by the organization. If their actions create an intimidating and offensive work environment, this is illegal. In many cases, the conduct in question is open to interpretation as to its intent and effect, or even if quite clear, can be hard to prove. It takes a skilled Portland employment lawyer to develop a legally valid claim and present a compelling case in the fight to defend your rights.

Hostile work environment claims often cite instances of disability discrimination, age discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, religious discrimination, sex discrimination or race discrimination. If the harassment if significant and recurring, and you reasonably believe that it must continue to be endured in order to maintain your employment, this constitutes a hostile work environment. Additional laws that support you when you feel you are facing this situation include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Employment Law Attorney for Employers Throughout Oregon

For help addressing a hostile work environment and filing a charge with the relevant authority as needed, talk to HKM Employment Attorneys. We focus on employment law and our legal team has been litigating employment claims for many years. One of our attorneys, Mr. Kalish, is the chief author of the 2010 and 2011 editions of a lawyer's practice manual on employment discrimination.

Contact a Portland employment law attorney if you feel you are the victim of a hostile work environment.