What is Workplace Misconduct?

14 Aug What is Workplace Misconduct?

The term “workplace misconduct” is a broad term and can be used to describe various forms of wrongdoing ranging from criminal offenses, such as sexual assault to general misconduct, like making inappropriate comments at work. In certain instances, workplace misconduct may violate an employee’s in a way that the act of workplace misconduct may lead to a lawsuit against the employer.

Here is a quick look at the various types of workplace misconduct that may lead to legal action.

Workplace Discrimination

Both federal law and state law in Arizona protect employees from workplace discrimination based on –

• Sex and sexual orientation
• Race
• National origin and/or citizenship status
• Religion
• Age
• Disability
• Genetic information and HIV discrimination

Prohibited Retaliation

Employees in Arizona are also protected from unlawful retaliation by both federal and state law. Some common ways an employer may engage in unlawful retaliation are –

• The employee suffers retaliation or termination for reporting unlawful company or employee activities
• The employee is punished for taking leave, that is allowed under federal law, Arizona law or the company’s own internal policies
• The employee suffers retaliation for making a ‘good faith’ complaint that discrimination, harassment or other unlawful behavior occurred

Sexual Harassment

The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) reports sexual harassment as the one of most common forms of workplace misconduct.

In the state of Arizona, sexual harassment may include the following forms of unwanted physical, verbal or visual misconduct –

• Stalking
• Inappropriate touching
• Making inappropriate sexual comments or confiding unwanted, inappropriate information
• Bullying in a sexual manner

Additionally, the person may be a victim of quid pro sexual harassment too, if the victim is harmed in a financial way, for example –

• financial benefits are promised to the victim, such as a pay raise, for accepting unwanted sexual advances
• a threat of demotion is made, if the victim refuses to indulge or accept sexual advances
• the victim is punished in some other way for refusing a sexual advance

If you have been a workplace victim of sexual harassment in any way, consult a Phoenix employment lawyer and protect your right to be free from harassment and unwanted workplace advances.

To learn more, consult one of the leading sexual harassment and wrongful termination lawyers in Phoenix, AZ at Chahbazi Law PLLC or call 602-282-5868 Now! Attorney Meenoo Chahbazi uses her extensive experience and passion for employment equality to represent Arizona employees in a wide range of employment matters.