Tampa Harassment Attorneys

Are You Suffering from Workplace Harassment in Tampa Bay?

If you’re enduring pervasive and frequent harassment at your place of work, you may be able to hold your employer liable for harassment and creating a hostile work environment. At Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC, our workplace harassment attorneys in Tampa fight for clients seeking justice after experiencing unlawful treatment at work due to their status as a protected individual under federal and Florida law. We take a proactive, compassionate approach for those who face discrimination or workplace mistreatment across the Tampa Bay area.

A protected individual is someone who cannot be harassed at work because of their:

• Age (40 or older)
• Race
• Skin color
• Sex (including pregnancy and gender)
• National origin
• Disability Discrimination
• Marital status
• Sexual orientation
• Genetic information

If someone at your workplace is making inappropriate jokes, intimidating you, or putting you down based on one of these protected characteristics, you may be the victim of workplace harassment. Other behaviors—such as physical harm, offensive images, or the use of discriminatory slurs—are also forms of workplace harassment that are prohibited under both Florida and federal law. If you are encountering any of these issues at work in the Tampa Bay area, our workplace harassment lawyers in Tampa can help you understand your rights and next steps.

What Is Workplace Harassment?

Some examples of workplace harassment against a protected individual may include the following:

• Use of racial slurs toward someone or in the workplace
• Making offensive jokes about a protected class
• Intimidation, threatening behavior, or terrorizing conduct
• Unwanted or unwelcome touching of any kind
• Displaying offensive symbols or imagery

Reach out to Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC online to challenge an employer for creating a hostile work environment and hold them accountable for allowing you to be harassed. Call us at (727) 202-5840 for help from our workplace harassment attorneys in Tampa, FL!

Understanding the Harassment Complaint Process

If you believe you are facing workplace harassment in Tampa, it’s essential to understand the process for reporting and pursuing a complaint. The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) and the EEOC are the primary agencies that handle workplace harassment claims in Tampa Bay. Generally, you should first report the harassment through your employer’s internal procedures, such as alerting human resources or a supervisor. If the issue remains unresolved, you can file a formal complaint with the FCHR or EEOC, generally within 300 days of the last incident of harassment. Our attorneys assist clients in Tampa with every step, from gathering evidence to filing paperwork, ensuring important deadlines are never missed. We help you build the strongest possible claim, whether you work downtown, in Westshore, or elsewhere in the region.

At Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC, we work side by side with our clients to review facts and supporting documentation before any claim is filed. Our team’s decades of employment law experience in the Tampa Bay area means we are attuned to the specific concerns and practices of local employers—whether you work in hospitality near Ybor City or a corporate office in the Tampa suburbs. We believe each case deserves a tailored legal strategy, which is why our lawyers make it a priority to keep you informed and prepared at every stage of the legal process. Connect with a professional work harassment lawyer in Tampa as soon as possible.

Sexual Harassment Lawyers in Florida

There can be a fine line between workplace harassment and sexual harassment, but both are strictly prohibited under state and federal law. Sexual harassment at work can include unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or conduct based on sex or gender, impacting anyone in the workplace. This contrasts with other types of work harassment, which may be based on any protected characteristic.

Sexual harassment is not only distressing but can also hinder your ability to feel comfortable and perform your best at work. In Tampa Bay, both state and federal laws—including the Florida Civil Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—safeguard employees from sexual harassment. This behavior can arise in workplaces of all sizes, from smaller downtown Tampa establishments to larger organizations in business districts like Westshore. All Tampa employers are required to promptly investigate and address any complaints and create an environment where this conduct is not tolerated. If your employer does not meet these obligations, consulting a Tampa sexual harassment lawyer can help you evaluate your options. Our team is dedicated to navigating the nuances of Florida employment law to advocate for Tampa workers subjected to workplace harassment and sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment can take on the following forms and others:

• Unwanted touching
• Comments about a person’s body or sexuality
• Display of sexually explicit, offensive, or discriminatory images and symbols
• Derogatory remarks about a gender or sex
• Any kind of sexual assault, including rape

Your Rights & Protections Under Florida and Federal Law

Knowing your rights as an employee is essential when facing workplace harassment in Tampa. Employees statewide are protected under laws like the Florida Civil Rights Act and the federal Civil Rights Act, which strictly prohibit harassment and require employers to maintain workplace policies that prevent discrimination and retaliation. These protections apply to all job types, regardless of industry, position, or tenure in the Tampa Bay area. Agencies and the courts in Tampa take these issues seriously, and reporting is actively encouraged in pursuit of a safer, more inclusive workforce. In Hillsborough County and nearby, these workplace protections form the foundation for fair employment practices.

At Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC, our lawyers draw upon decades of employment law work to help clients interpret their rights and take informed action. We guide clients through both the state and federal reporting process, educate them about anti-retaliation measures, and answer their questions about what kinds of behavior are unlawful. We believe that an informed client is an empowered client, and we are committed to helping every employee we serve take steps toward a more positive workplace. Turn to a trusted workplace harassment lawyer right away.

Contact us online for more information about our services and to discover how a work harassment attorney in Tampa can advocate for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What evidence should I collect if I am experiencing workplace harassment?

Collecting proper evidence is important for substantiating your workplace harassment claim. Keep a detailed written log of each incident, including dates, times, people involved, and the types of conduct or remarks made. Save any communications—such as emails, text messages, voicemails, and handwritten notes—that show potentially harassing behavior. If there are witnesses, document their identities and their observations, and, if possible, obtain written statements. Additionally, retain all documentation related to your internal workplace complaint, including copies of formal complaints submitted to management or HR. Tampa's larger employers may also have video surveillance or security data—consider asking about these records during your reporting process. A workplace harassment attorney from our firm can review your evidence for completeness and help ensure you are fully prepared for state or federal proceedings.

How long do I have to file a workplace harassment complaint in Tampa?

In Florida, most employees must file a charge of workplace harassment with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) within 300 days of the last incident of harassment. In some cases, state processes have shorter timelines, so quick action is advisable. Company reporting policies in Tampa may require you to notify HR or management much sooner. Acting quickly is critical for preserving your options if harassment continues. Our workplace harassment lawyer in Tampa can ensure that every deadline is met, handling the documentation and process at every level from initial report to potential litigation if required.

Will reporting workplace harassment in Tampa put my job at risk?

Tampa employers are legally prohibited from retaliating against anyone for filing a workplace harassment complaint or taking part in a harassment investigation. Both state and federal laws protect against retaliation, including adverse actions such as demotion, firing, pay cuts, or negative shifts in duties. If you suspect retaliation after reporting harassment, carefully document any changes to your employment conditions and consult a workplace harassment lawyer in Tampa as soon as possible. Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC stands by Tampa employees and provides guidance to safeguard your rights if your work environment or job status is threatened in response to a legitimate complaint.

Our knowledgeable workplace harassment lawyer in Tampa is prepared to guide you through your case. Call (727) 202-5840 to book your consultation without delay.