Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying is never acceptable. It could come in the form of a manager constantly belittling you in meetings. Perhaps co-workers isolate you or spread lies behind your back. The behavior may not involve shouting or threats, but it still impacts your health and ability to perform your job.

Depending on the situation, workplace bullying may be a violation of California law. Even when it isn’t illegal on its own, bullying may support a claim for harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. These are serious workplace issues that demand correction. At Moon Law Group, PC, we can take the necessary legal steps to make sure it happens.

Our Los Angeles law firm has represented employees throughout California in complex cases since 2007. As one of the largest plaintiff’s employment law firms in the Golden State, we have the resources to go up against even big businesses that mistreat their workers. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for thousands of employees through both individual claims and class or collective actions, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you.

If you’re dealing with bullying at work, contact Moon Law Group today to speak with a Los Angeles workplace bullying attorney. Your case review is free and confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.

How Can a Los Angeles Workplace Bullying Lawyer Help with My Case?

A Los Angeles workplace bullying lawyer from Moon Law Group can review your experience and help you build a strong claim. That typically means reviewing internal HR records, emails, performance reviews, and witness accounts to demonstrate how you’ve been treated.

Our attorneys can help determine whether your experience violates any state or federal laws. Bullying alone may not always be illegal, but it can cross the line into harassment, retaliation, or discrimination. This often happens when bullying targets a legally protected category like gender, race, age, or disability.

When bullying affects multiple employees in similar ways, Moon Law Group can advise whether a class or collective action is the right approach. Our attorneys are recognized throughout California for their successful outcomes in complex group cases.

Once you understand your options, we’ll guide you through every step. That could mean filing a complaint with a state agency, negotiating a settlement, or taking your employer to court. Ultimately, a workplace bullying lawyer can help you pursue accountability and compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.

Contact us today and discover the difference we can make in your situation.

What Is Bullying in the Workplace?

Workplace bullying is repeated, hostile behavior that targets a specific employee, intending to create a harmful or intimidating work environment. It often becomes a pattern that interferes with your ability to do your job. These patterns of mistreatment can cause lasting damage. Workers often experience anxiety, sleep problems, and declining performance.

Bullying does not have to rise to the level of illegal harassment to be harmful. However, it may violate California or federal law if it targets someone based on a protected characteristic or creates a hostile work environment.

What Are Typical Examples of Workplace Bullying?

Bullying may come from managers, co-workers, or clients. The behavior can be overt or subtle. This often makes it difficult for employees to determine whether the conduct violates the law or is simply uncomfortable and unpleasant.

Examples of workplace bullying include the following:

If you’re not sure whether you’re experiencing actionable workplace bullying, contact Moon Law Group as soon as possible. Our attorneys can review your case and help you understand your legal options. Your consultation is free and fully confidential.

What Laws Protect Me from Bullying in the Workplace?

No California or federal law specifically bans bullying in the workplace. However, if the bullying targets you because of a legally protected characteristic or because you spoke up about illegal behavior, you have options.

Bullying in the workplace law may include protections under the following:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – This federal law prohibits harassment and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) – California state law bans discrimination and harassment based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – The ADA is a federal law that protects against harassment or discrimination based on a disability (or perceived disability).
• California Labor Code §§ 1102.5 and 98.6 – These statutes protect employees from retaliation after reporting illegal conduct, unsafe working conditions, or wage violations.
• State and Federal Whistleblower Protections – Multiple state and federal laws protect workers who report fraud, safety violations, or unlawful business practices.

Even if bullying doesn’t seem like harassment or discrimination at first, it often escalates into more serious forms of abuse. The lawyers at Moon Law Group can determine which laws apply to your situation and explain whether your employer has crossed a legal line. Get in touch with us today for a free, no-obligation case review.

Is There a Difference Between Workplace Bullying and Harassment?

The terms often overlap, but there’s a specific legal difference between bullying vs. harassment.

Harassment is illegal when it targets someone because of a protected characteristic like race, gender, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. Federal and state laws, including Title VII and FEHA, prohibit this kind of conduct in the workplace.

Bullying, on the other hand, refers to repeated hostile, demeaning, or aggressive behavior that may not be tied to a legally protected trait. While bullying by itself is not always illegal, it can cross the line if any of the following apply:

• It’s tied to discrimination or harassment based on a protected trait
• It escalates into retaliation after a worker reports misconduct
• It contributes to a hostile work environment that affects mental or physical health

When you meet with a Moon Law Group lawyer, we can determine whether your workplace bullying experience includes a discriminatory or retaliatory component. Our attorneys build strong legal claims by connecting patterns of mistreatment to violations of state and federal laws.

Is My Employer Obligated to Have a Written Policy Regarding Workplace Bullying?

California law requires certain employers to provide harassment prevention training, which includes abusive conduct. There is no statewide requirement for a standalone workplace bullying policy. However, many employers voluntarily include anti-bullying rules in employee handbooks.

What Steps Should I Take if I’m Being Bullied at Work?

If you’ve experienced workplace bullying, taking the right steps early on can make a significant difference for your well-being and any future legal claim. Knowing how to prove workplace bullying starts with careful documentation, such as the following:

• Write down each incident as soon as possible. Include dates, times, a factual description of what happened, and who witnessed it.
• Save any supporting materials such as emails, text messages, performance reviews, or screenshots that show patterns of abuse or retaliation.
• Report the conduct through your company’s internal channels. These reports are typically submitted to a supervisor or through Human Resources. Keep a copy of your written complaint.
• Avoid informal conversations or verbal reports that can’t be verified later.

If your internal efforts don’t stop the bullying or result in retaliation, contact a Los Angeles workplace bullying lawyer at Moon Law Group.

What Damages Could I Recover in a Workplace Bullying Lawsuit?

If your workplace bullying lawsuit is successful, several types of damages may be available to you. This depends on the specific facts of your case, but they may include the following:

• Lost Wages and Benefits – Lost wages include income you missed due to demotion, wrongful termination, or being forced to leave a hostile work environment.
• Emotional Distress Damages – Many bullying cases involve psychological harm like anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Courts may award damages to compensate you for this suffering.
• Medical Expenses – If you’ve sought therapy, counseling, or other treatment due to the bullying, you may recover related costs.
• Punitive Damages – In especially severe or malicious cases, courts may award additional damages to punish the employer and deter future misconduct.
• Attorney’s Fees and Legal Costs – Many workplace laws allow successful plaintiffs to recover legal fees and expenses from their employer.

If you were effectively forced to resign because of bullying (known as constructive discharge), you may also be entitled to future lost earnings. The attorneys at Moon Law Group can evaluate your case to identify the full range of damages you may be entitled to and pursue the maximum compensation allowed.

How Long Do I Have to File a Workplace Bullying Claim?

The statute of limitations for a workplace bullying claim depends on your case’s legal basis. If the bullying involves discrimination or harassment under FEHA, you must file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department within three years of the last incident. For federal claims under Title VII, the deadline to file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is typically 180 to 300 days.

Finally, if your case involves retaliation or whistleblower protections, different statutes may apply. Some statutes of limitation are as short as six months to a year. Early action is important, no matter what kind of claim you hope to file, because waiting too long can result in lost evidence and missed deadlines.

Contact a Los Angeles Workplace Bullying Attorney Today

Workplace bullying should never be brushed aside, especially when it affects a worker’s mental health, career, or financial stability. At Moon Law Group, we have a strong history of success in both individual and class action lawsuits. Our firm knows how to take on employers who cross the line, and we’re ready to help you. Contact us today to speak confidentially with a Los Angeles workplace bullying attorney and let us advocate for justice on your behalf.