Can I sue my employer for being verbally abusive?
Sarah Garza
Updated on March 20, 2026
You may be able to sue your employer for verbal abuse if you can prove that the harassment is due to discrimination under California law. You may also be able to sue if you can prove the abuse has created an unsafe working environment under CalOSHA regulations.
What is considered verbal abuse by an employer?
Racial slurs, degrading language based on gender or sexual orientation, sexual innuendo, humiliating a worker in front of others regarding their work performance, spreading gossip or lies, blaming a worker for something that they did not do, trivializing or dismissing an employee’s valid workplace concerns, constantly …
Can someone get fired for verbal abuse?
Verbal abuse is just another form of bullying. Verbal abuse, especially if it creates a hostile working environment for protected classes, can be considered harassment under the law and cause for terminating employment.
Is verbal abuse considered a hostile work environment?
Verbal abuse typically falls under the hostile work environment prohibition in federal law. If an employee or supervisor repeatedly abuses a member of a protected class on the basis of her membership in that class, this is discrimination.
Is verbal abuse a form of harassment?
Harassment takes many forms, including verbal abuse. The abuser may call the victim repeatedly to verbally abuse him or her, threaten to hurt the victim or people the victim cares about, post derogatory claims about the victim online, or otherwise berate a victim repeatedly for a period of time.
Can you report someone for verbal abuse?
If the verbal abuse is of a criminal nature, you need to report it to the police immediately, and you must also let them know if you are concerned about your safety. Not all verbal exchanges are abuse.
Is it against the law to verbally abuse an employee?
Verbal abuse can contribute to a hostile work environment and be punishable by law. Employers are responsible for their own speech and appropriate reprimand of hostile comments by their managers. However, verbal abuse might be ignored because of a fear that the employee’s job is at risk if reported.
How does verbal abuse contribute to a hostile work environment?
Verbal abuse can contribute to a hostile work environment and be punishable by law. Employers are responsible for their own speech and appropriate reprimand of hostile comments by their managers. However, verbal abuse might be ignored because of a fear that the employee’s job is at risk if reported. Verbal abuse affects everyone in the workplace.
When to seek professional help for verbal abuse?
Whatever reasons the person has for being verbally abusive, usually not associated with work, the person might need professional help if it continues. Verbal abuse is just not cool at any time or place. Verbal abuse undermines the work environment and puts everyone on edge.
Can a person Sue an employer for emotional abuse?
Even when your emotional distress isn’t caused by racial tension or unwanted sexual advances, you may still have the ability to sue for emotional abuse. Many employer have anti-bullying policies against workplace harassment.