NJSS

Personal and Emotional Violence in the workplace

• Any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or threatening/ disruptive behavior at a worksite
• Can be anything from threats, verbal abuse, to physical violence
• It can involve employees, clients, customers and visitors

Discrimination

• You have the right to work free of discrimination and harassment because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), ethnicity, national origin, disability, age or sexual orientation.
• Examples of inappropriate behavior include lewd jokes, racial or ethnic slurs, pressure for sexual favors, unwelcome comments about religion, or offensive pictures and graffiti.

If an employer does not address concerns, then report the situation

• Under federal and State of New Jersey “whistle blower protection” laws, you cannot be punished for reporting safety concerns or discrimination.
• More information can be found with the following agencies:
  • To make a health or safety complaint: OSHA- Occupational Health and Safety Administration www.osha.gov
  • To make a complaint about sexual harassment or discrimination: New Jersey Division on Civil Rights www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/index.html & U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission www.youth.eeoc.gov