Can I sue? I worked for USPS and quit to work for the corny I'm with right now. One of the reasons I chose to leave was bcz of the way my co-workers argued with the supervisors. They (both co-workers and) supervisors screamed loud and cursed at each other

Most workplace screaming and cursing is legal, no matter how obnoxious and annoying it is. It could be illegal if the language made reference to a protected category or derogatory terms for people in protected categories, or particularly targeted people in protected categories.

Employment in the U.S. Postal Service is covered by federal law. Under federal law, the protected categories I referred to above include race, color, religion, sex, sexual harassment, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability including HIV and AIDS, age (40 and above), equal pay, and genetic information. For these issues, you have only 90 days to take your first legal action. If you miss the deadline, you have missed any opportunity to sue. Please see my guide to the EEO complaint process for federal government employees and how to find the right attorney: http://www.thespencerlawfirm.com/pdf/tslf-federal-ee-discrim.pdf.

Other protected categories include blowing the whistle on a matter of public concern, such as theft from the government, health and safety violations, ripping off the public, and more. There are different time limits for these areas.

posted by Marilynn Mika Spencer  |  Nov 15, 2015 11:29 AM [EST]

There doesn't appear to be a valid reason for suing. Screaming and yelling and other types of unfair treatment are not illegal unless there is specific evidence that the reason for that treatment is unlawful discrimination or retaliation. In the absence of such evidence, the employer did nothing illegal.

Thanks,

Arkady

posted by Arkady Itkin  |  Nov 15, 2015 11:27 AM [EST]