Proving Claims of Sexual Harassment/Hostile Work Environment
To establish a claim of hostile work environment based on sexual harassment, an employee must establish that: (1) he or she belongs to a protected group, (2) he or she has been subject to unwelcome harassment, (3) the harassment complained of was based on his/her sex, (4) the harassment was sufficiently “severe or pervasive” to alter the terms and conditions of employment and create a discriminatory abusive work environment, and (5) a basis for holding his/her employer liable. Mendoza v. Borden, Inc., 195 F.3d 1238, 1245 (11th Cir. 1999).
The first element is easily established as gender is a protected category. As to the second element, the incident must be unwelcome. To satisfy this element, there must be some evidence that the employee asked the alleged harasser to stop but the behavior continued. For the third element, the employee must show that the harassment was because of his/her sex.
The fourth element is generally the most challenging element for employees to meet. Behavior that creates a hostile work environment needs to be objectively severe to warrant legal action. The behavior must seriously impact and affect the employee’s terms or conditions of employment. Courts have found that to establish that harassment was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the terms or conditions of employment, an employee must prove that her work environment was both subjectively and objectively hostile. Courts generally find that employees meet their burden to show that the environment was subjectively hostile if they provide testimony that the situations or comments caused them stress and affected their work environment.
In reviewing the objective inquiry, courts consider four factors: (1) the frequency of the conduct; (2) the severity of the conduct; (3) whether the conduct is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and (4) whether the conduct unreasonably interferes with the employee’s job performance. While these factors guide the analysis, courts must consider the totality of the circumstances.
For the fourth element, employees must provide some evidence that the conduct unreasonably interfered with their job performance. However, the Supreme Court “has cautioned that harassment need not be … so extreme that it produces tangible effects on job performance in order to be actionable.” Miller v. Kenworth of Dothan, Inc., 277 F.3d 1269, 1277 (11th Cir. 2002).
Our Process
As a first step, your assigned legal team will gather and review records related to your claim, including any employment contract or offer letter, time sheets, any relevant communications, and any disciplinary actions, including performance improvement plans or termination paperwork.
These documents will help your attorneys evaluate your claims and develop a strategy to obtain the best results for your situation.
Once your legal team completes the initial investigation, they will work with you to determine the best legal strategy for your situation. Your legal team will make recommendations and will work with you to formulate the most effective approach to obtain your desired outcome.
After you and your legal team formulate the strategy, your legal team will advocate on your behalf to obtain your desired outcome. This could include negotiating a separation package, engaging in pre-suit negotiations, sending a demand letter, and/or filing a charge of discrimination or lawsuit on your behalf.
The attorneys at BT Law are experienced trial lawyers and will advocate for your rights in the courtroom as necessary.
What Our Clients Say
Now that my case has been finalized, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly express my sincere admiration and gratitude to Anisley Tarragona and Jason Berkowitz for their outstanding professionalism and superb legal expertise applied…
Hiram V.
From start to finish, they were incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, compassionate and supportive. Their expertise gave me confidence at every stage, and their dedication could be seen throughout the entire case. They explained every step in clear terms…
Sammy E.
I can’t speak highly enough of my experience with Anisley and team at BT Law Group. I was in a very vulnerable position being laid off from my corporate job of 10 years at 8 months pregnant. The team asked all of the right questions with a very…
Katherine S.
I recently found myself in the midst of an employment and labor dispute crisis, desperately seeking legal assistance to navigate the complexities of the situation. After screening multiple firms, I was fortunate to discover BT Law Group…
Marc O.
I was very pleased with my experience with BT Law group. Both Jason and Anisley were professional and answered all my questions. They believed in me and my case and for that I am forever grateful. Jason fought for me and justice was served. I recommend…
Allycia C.
Trusted advisors
Jason D. Berkowitz is a Founding Partner of BT Law Group, PLLC. Prior to starting BT Law, Mr. Berkowitz was a Partner in the Miami office of a national labor and employment law firm where he represented management exclusively.
Anisley Tarragona is a founding partner of BT Law Group, PLLC. Prior to starting BT Law, Ms. Tarragona worked in the Miami office of a national labor and employment law firm where she represented management exclusively. Ms. Tarragona, who was born and raised in Cuba, is fluent in Spanish.
