Can Bystander Intervention Help Build My Workplace Discrimination/Harassment Case?

At Romero Law, our experienced employment law attorneys in Pasadena know that employment harassment and discrimination are rampant in workplaces throughout California. While no employee should be subjected to these unlawful actions, most employees who are directly impacted — or witness the behavior — are unsure how to respond.

Fortunately, there are ways everyone can help stop discrimination, harassment, and other inappropriate behavior in the workplace by participating in what is called bystander intervention.

Here, we discuss why bystander intervention is necessary and how it can help California workers pursue a more substantial workplace harassment or discrimination claim.

What is Bystander Intervention in the California Workplace?

Bystander intervention is when a witness intervenes to help create a workplace accountability culture.

That may include, but is not limited to:

• Interrupting the harassment/discrimination.
• Providing support to the victim.
• Informally addressing the harassment/discrimination after the fact.
• Formally reporting the harassment/discrimination.
• Speaking out against implicit biases.
• Encouraging others to be allies.

Bystander intervention can empower all employees to address and prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

How Can Bystander Intervention Help Build a Strong California Workplace Harassment/Discrimination Claim?

Bystander intervention can potentially play a role in building a California workplace discrimination or harassment case.

When a witness, or multiple witnesses, see or hear misconduct in the workplace and play a role in dissolving the issue, they can provide:

• Credibility

Bystanders who come forward to support the victim’s claims can lend credibility to the case. It shows that multiple individuals perceived the behavior as inappropriate or discriminatory, strengthening the argument that the behavior indeed took place.

• Corroborating Evidence

Bystanders who witnessed discriminatory or harassing behavior can provide crucial corroborating evidence. Their accounts can validate the victim’s claims and provide a complete picture of what occurred, strengthening your case.

• Pattern of Behavior

If there is a pattern of discriminatory or harassing behavior by a particular individual or within a specific context, bystander intervention instances can help establish that pattern. This pattern demonstrates that the conduct was not an isolated incident.

• Hostile Work Environment

If enough instances of bystander intervention are documented, it might help establish that a hostile work environment existed. A hostile work environment is a legal term that refers to a workplace where discriminatory or harassing behavior is so pervasive and severe that it interferes with an individual’s ability to perform their job.

Contact Our Skilled Employment Law Attorneys in Pasadena to Schedule a Free Consultation Today

If you are being subjected to workplace harassment or discrimination, contact our experienced Los Angeles County employment law attorneys to discuss your unique workplace circumstances today.

Our employment law firm and bilingual staff offer services in both English and Spanish and are available now to discuss your case during a free consultation by calling (626)-396-9900 or contacting us online.