Physical harassment in the workplace is more than just upsetting and unwanted behavior. Depending on your situation, it can leave lasting impacts on your career, reputation, and overall well-being. You deserve a safe workplace where respect is the rule, not the exception.
When someone crosses the line into workplace physical harassment, you have legal options. Cruz Law Firm, P.A. represents employees across Florida facing workplace harassment and related misconduct. With nearly 20 years of combined legal experience and over $15 million recovered for our clients, our team has the dedication and skill to protect your rights. Reach out to us today to discuss your options.
What Is Considered Physical Harassment in the Workplace?
When people think about harassment, they often imagine verbal abuse or offensive comments. However, harassment can be physical, too. Physical harassment in the workplace happens when someone touches you, blocks your movement, or uses physical force in a way that is unwelcome or threatening. Common types of workplace physical harassment include:
- Unwanted touching and groping
- Hitting, shoving, or pushing
- Blocking doorways or pathways to intimidate
- Making offensive gestures
- Throwing or hitting objects to intimidate
- Using physical force in anger
- Invasive or unnecessary physical contact disguised as “joking around”
- Any workplace physical violence or other threatening behavior
These behaviors are not just inappropriate – they often violate workplace policies and the law. Depending on the specific situation, a single, severe incident can create a hostile work environment. This is especially common when the harasser is a supervisor or someone in a position of power or when the harassment involves assault. However, these cases are often built on a pattern of pervasive physical harassment.
You don’t have to wonder whether what you experienced “counts” as harassment. If the conduct makes you feel unsafe, threatened, or disrespected, take it seriously. Learn about your legal rights from a lawyer at Cruz Law Firm, P.A. today.
Your Legal Protections Under Florida and Federal Law
Both Florida and federal law protect workers from physical harassment in the workplace. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, harassment is considered unlawful when it creates a hostile, intimidating, or abusive work environment or when enduring the harassment is necessary to keep your job. The physical harassment must also be based on protected characteristics, which include:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity)
- National origin
- Age (40 and older, under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act)
- Disability (under the Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Genetic information (under GINA)
Florida law offers similar protections under the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA). Like Title VII, the FCRA prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination based on protected characteristics. Employers with 15 or more employees are covered, and both statutes make it illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for reporting harassment.
Other state and federal protections may also apply. For example, if the harassment involves physical assault, it could be a criminal matter in addition to a workplace rights violation.
These laws help hold employers accountable when someone violates your rights. If your employer fails to address physical harassment or if they retaliate against you for reporting it, you may have the right to pursue a legal claim.
What to Do If You’ve Experienced Physical Harassment at Work
Physical harassment is often frightening. You might feel vulnerable and unsure whether to report it. Taking the following steps can help you protect yourself and your workplace harassment case:
- Document what happened. Write down the details of each incident. Include the date, time, location, and anyone who might have witnessed the behavior. If you have any related emails, texts, or messages, save them for your attorney.
- Report the conduct internally. Most employers have policies regarding harassment. You may be required to report to a supervisor, HR, or another designated department. Filing a report puts your employer on notice. It gives them a chance to address the problem before you take legal action.
- Seek medical attention if needed. If the harassment physically harmed you, see a doctor as soon as possible. This helps protect your health and creates valuable documentation.
- Consult an experienced workplace harassment lawyer early. Understanding your rights and options can help you decide what to do next. Speaking with a lawyer early on can help you avoid mistakes in the reporting process and prepare for potential retaliation.
Remember: you don’t have to wait until things get worse to reach out for legal guidance. Even if you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies as discriminatory harassment under the law, we can review your case and explain your options.
How a Workplace Harassment Lawyer Can Help
When you’re dealing with physical harassment at work, a workplace harassment lawyer from Cruz Law Firm, P.A. can offer the support and advocacy you need. We help employees across Florida hold employers accountable. When you work with us, we can:
- Review your case to see whether the harassment violates state or federal law
- Explain your rights and how we can help you protect them
- Guide you through filing complaints internally and with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Gather additional evidence, including witness statements, documents, and employer records
- Advocate for compensation when harassment leads to lost wages, emotional distress, and career setbacks
- File lawsuits when appropriate to fight for justice on your behalf
Our firm has nearly two decades of combined experience representing employees in harassment cases. When you hire Cruz Law Firm, P.A., you’ll get a skilled team that understands how emotionally, physically, and professionally devastating physical harassment can be. We know the challenges of confronting misconduct at work – and we know how to push back against employers who try to avoid responsibility. Let us work to make things right for you.
Speak with a Florida Workplace Harassment Lawyer Today
No one should have to tolerate physical harassment in the workplace. If you’ve been touched, threatened, or intimidated at work because of a protected characteristic, it’s time to take action. The law is on your side. Cruz Law Firm, P.A. can help you use those protections to stop the behavior and seek justice.
We are dedicated to representing employees in cases of workplace misconduct, harassment, and discrimination across Florida – and our results speak for themselves. One client said,
“Tiffany Cruz was great to work with on my employment case. She is extremely knowledgeable and a fierce advocate in fighting to make things right with my employer. Made me feel good to have someone like her on my side.”
Contact Cruz Law Firm, P.A. today for a consultation with a Florida workplace harassment lawyer.