Workplace harassment is unlawful, disruptive, and damaging, and no employee should be forced to endure it. Gateway Employment Law represents employees throughout St. Louis, Missouri and the Metro East Illinois region who have experienced harassment at work, including sexual harassment, racial harassment, and other forms of hostile or abusive conduct.
If your employer ignored, enabled, or retaliated against you for reporting harassment, you may have strong legal claims under Missouri, Illinois, and federal law.
What Is Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment occurs when unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic becomes so severe or pervasive that it creates a hostile, intimidating, or abusive work environment, or when enduring the conduct becomes a condition of continued employment.
Harassment can come from supervisors, managers, coworkers, or even clients and customers. Employers are legally responsible when they fail to prevent or correct known harassment.
Types of Workplace Harassment We Handle
Gateway Employment Law represents employees facing all forms of workplace harassment, including:
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can involve unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate comments, suggestive texts or emails, sexual jokes, or pressure for dates or favors. It may also include retaliation for rejecting advances or reporting misconduct.
Racial and National Origin Harassment
This includes racial slurs, racist jokes, stereotypes, offensive comments, or disparate treatment tied to race, ethnicity, or national origin.
Gender, Pregnancy, and Sexual Orientation Harassment
Harassment based on gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or related conditions is illegal. This includes derogatory remarks, exclusion, or targeting employees because of gender expression or family status.
Religious Harassment
Unlawful harassment may include mocking religious beliefs, pressuring employees to conform to certain beliefs, or refusing reasonable religious accommodations.
Disability-Based Harassment
Employees with disabilities are protected from offensive remarks, intimidation, or hostile conduct related to physical or mental impairments.
Common Signs of a Hostile Work Environment
Harassment is often ongoing and normalized by workplace culture. Common red flags include:
- – Repeated inappropriate comments or jokes
- – Unwanted touching or physical proximity
- – Sexual messages, texts, or emails outside of work hours
- – Threats, intimidation, or humiliation
- – Management ignoring complaints or discouraging reporting
- – Retaliation after speaking up
If harassment is interfering with your ability to do your job or making work unbearable, legal intervention may be warranted.
Your Rights Under Missouri and Illinois Law
Employees in St. Louis and Metro East Illinois are protected by both state civil rights laws and federal employment statutes. Employers are prohibited from:
- – Allowing harassment to continue once they know or should know about it
- – Retaliating against employees who report harassment
- – Punishing employees for participating in investigations
- – Forcing employees to tolerate a hostile work environment
Legal remedies may include:
- – Back pay and lost wages
- – Emotional distress damages
- – Reinstatement or front pay
- – Employer policy changes and training requirements
- – Attorney’s fees and litigation costs
Strict filing deadlines apply. Missing them can permanently bar your claim.
Retaliation for Reporting Harassment Is Illegal
Many harassment cases escalate when an employee reports misconduct. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, reduced hours, pay cuts, unfavorable schedules, or increased scrutiny.
Retaliation is a separate legal violation, and often strengthens your case.
Why Choose Gateway Employment Law
Workplace harassment cases require strategic, employee-focused advocacy. Gateway Employment Law represents workers, not employers, and understands the local employment landscape across St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Madison County, St. Clair County, and surrounding areas.
Clients choose us because we provide:
- – Focused experience in employment and harassment law
- – Deep knowledge of Missouri and Illinois enforcement agencies
- – Direct access to attorneys and clear guidance
- – Aggressive negotiation and litigation strategies
We hold employers accountable when they fail to protect their employees.
Speak With a St. Louis or Metro East Workplace Harassment Lawyer Today
You should not have to choose between your job and your dignity. If you are experiencing harassment at work, or retaliation for reporting it, legal help is available.
Contact Gateway Employment Law today for a confidential consultation and learn how we can protect your rights and pursue justice on your behalf.