No matter how much you love your job, you’ve experienced stress at work. Whether you’re dealing with technology issues or a coworker makes a mistake, your job can be incredibly stressful. However, taking the time to manage your stress and anger is critical. Unfortunately, you may find that not everyone takes this seriously, especially when your boss targets you to yell at. If you find yourself on the receiving end of your boss yelling at you, it can be incredibly upsetting. As such, it’s important to understand whether or not this violates employment laws. Keep reading to learn more about these matters and how a Pennsylvania employee rights lawyer can assist with any issues you may have.
Can my boss yell at me?
When your boss yells at you, it can be incredibly demeaning and demoralizing. You may feel less incentivized to do your job and it can damage your self-esteem. However, it isn’t necessarily illegal. If your employer gets frustrated, yelling may be their first instinct. Though it can be upsetting, it’s human nature. In many instances, yelling in the workplace has become normalized because of the power dynamic.
In some instances, you may find that your boss will yell at you to get you to quit so they don’t have to pay you a severance package. Unfortunately, these tactics have become common.
However, there are instances in which your boss’s temper can constitute harassment.
What constitutes harassment?
Though your boss legally can yell at you, it’s important to understand under what circumstances their yelling can constitute harassment. Generally, unless your boss is yelling at you because you are a member of a protected class, this would qualify as discrimination. Additionally, if you find that you are a repeated victim of your boss’s yelling, it could constitute harassment, especially if you are the only individual subjected to this kind of treatment.
Similarly, if your boss’s constant yelling creates a hostile work environment as they are using vulgar and demeaning language, it can constitute workplace harassment.
What should I do if I’m harassed?
If you feel as though you are a victim of harassment in the workplace because of your boss’s yelling, it’s important to understand your legal options. Generally, the first thing you can try is to discuss the matter with your Human Resources department. However, if you work for a small company that does not have an official HR or nothing changes after speaking to the department, you should contact an attorney.
Feeling demeaned at work is something no one should have to deal with. However, it’s an unfortunate reality that this is common, so fighting for justice is critical. If you are a victim of workplace harassment at the hands of your employer, the team at Friedman Schuman Layser can assist you. We understand how complex these issues can be, which is why our firm is dedicated to helping you.
