Can I sue my boss for yelling at me?

Asked by: Dr. Jasmin Schaden Jr.  |  Last update: June 15, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (69 votes)

Yes, you may be able to sue your employer for verbal abuse. Although state law generally doesn't recognize it as a separate cause of action, in some cases verbal abuse can constitute illegal workplace discrimination under state and federal law.

Can you sue a boss for yelling at you?

Yes. That said, if your boss or a coworker is harassing you and you are experiencing emotional distress, you can seek a restraining order or file a lawsuit against them personally. But not against the company.

What do I do if my boss yells at me?

Go to HR and file a complaint against your boss. He has no right to yell at you. If he has to he can correct you regarding certain things that may affect the office or productivity but not to yell at you. Also find another job where you'll be respected.

Can you sue your boss for disrespecting you?

Yes. That said, if your boss or a coworker is harassing you and you are experiencing emotional distress, you can seek a restraining order or file a lawsuit against them personally. But not against the company.

What counts as verbal abuse in the workplace?

Verbal abuse in the workplace involves hurtful or derogatory language directed toward another individual, often harming them emotionally or psychologically. It can take varying shapes, including slurs, insults, name-calling, and criticism.

My boss yells at me for no reason. Can I sue for hostile work environment?

38 related questions found

Can you sue a boss for verbal abuse?

If the verbal harassment and abuse has been consistent, and your feel either threatened or uncomfortable in your workplace due to this verbal harassment or abuse, you may have legal grounds to sue your employer for either an unsafe working environment or due to discrimination.

What is my manager not allowed to do?

Discrimination is at the top of the list of things your boss can't legally do. It's against the law to discriminate against employees because of their race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected categories. What can you do if you experience or witness discrimination?

Can I sue my boss for emotional distress?

Yes, you can file an emotional distress lawsuit. If a supervisor caused emotional distress or a co-worker recklessly or intentionally inflicted emotional distress, you may have a case. Some workplaces are more stressful than others. But not every situation meets the legal definition for emotional distress.

How do you prove you are being treated unfairly at work?

However, certain pieces of evidence can help you build your case, including employee records, witness statements, email notifications, pay stubs, or hiring policies. If you were wrongly treated at work due to protected categories, like age or race, it may be worth it to talk with an employment lawyer.

Is yelling in the workplace harassment?

While yelling at employees may be legal, research shows it's generally ineffective and often harms morale, productivity, and workplace relationships. Yelling can sometimes be considered harassment if it's severe, pervasive, and creates a hostile work environment or targets protected characteristics.

Is it unprofessional for a boss to yell at you?

From a professional standpoint, it's generally not acceptable for a boss to yell at employees. While occasional displays of frustration might occur in high-stress environments, habitual yelling can contribute to a toxic workplace, damaging morale, productivity, and employee wellbeing.

What is it called when your boss talks down to you?

Condescension from your boss is stressful and can harm your productivity over time. Before confronting bosses about their condescending behavior, try to figure out if they're acting that way on purpose.

How do you react when your boss belittles you?

It's essential to communicate your feelings assertively, provide examples of the behavior that concerns you, and request a private meeting to discuss how to improve the situation. If the behavior persists, consider escalating the issue to HR or seek support from a trusted mentor or colleague.

How to prove emotional distress at work?

The two main ways to prove emotional distress damages are (1) for the employee (and their friends and family) to testify about how the discrimination caused psychological injury, and/or (2) have a doctor or mental health professional testify about the harm suffered.

Can I sue my boss for being toxic?

Employees who experience a hostile work environment in California have options for seeking redress. They can file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or file a lawsuit in court.

Can you get sued for yelling?

For instance, if the yelling is threatening violence, or is done in a way where the listener fears for their physical safety, there may be a case for legal action. Not only is the act of making a threat of violence illegal in every state, but it can also lead to civil torts.

What qualifies as a hostile work environment?

A hostile work environment occurs when an employee's ability to perform their work is interfered with by discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other acts on the basis of their race, gender, religion, disability, age, or other characteristics depending on the law.

Can I report my boss for mistreating me?

An employee that has been subject to any type of job discrimination or mistreatment may also file an EEOC complaint. The EEOC, or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, accepts complaints filed in person or by mail with the nearest office.

How serious is an EEOC complaint?

In most cases, changes to procedures and policies are required to appease the charging party. If the case is too serious for mediation or the employer declines mediation, then the EEOC may sue the employer. Employer declined EEOC mediation means the case may proceed to litigation.

What is the most you can sue for emotional distress?

The second type of emotional distress claim is one that is worth more than $50,000 up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the factual circumstances. You would need one or more medical opinions to support this claim and be prepared to have those medical advisors testify in court.

How to sue for a hostile work environment?

To state a claim for a hostile work environment under FEHA, a plaintiff must allege facts demonstrating that (1) he or she is a member of a protected class, (2) he or she was subjected to unwelcome acts, comments, or physical conduct because of the protected characteristic, (3) such conduct was sufficiently severe or ...

How hard is it to prove emotional distress?

Proving a claim for emotional distress can be intricate due to the subjective nature of emotional experiences and the lack of tangible evidence. However, several key considerations increase the likelihood of a successful claim: Severity.

Is it illegal for your boss to yell at you?

Can my boss yell at me in front of other employees? Yes. Unless your boss discriminates against you and uses yelling as a tactic, then you are out of luck. Employment laws do not prevent employers from acting poorly and only punish bad actors if they discriminate or retaliate against employees.

What is an example of unfair treatment?

Here are just a few examples of unfair treatment at work:

Demoting, transferring, or dismissing an employee without a fair, disciplinary process. Paying women lower wages for doing the same job, because of their sex. Firing or laying off older workers so the company can hire younger, cheaper workers to do their jobs.

How to tell if your boss wants you to quit?

10 Signs Your Boss Wants You to Quit
  1. You don't get new, different or challenging assignments anymore.
  2. You don't receive support for your professional growth.
  3. Your boss avoids you.
  4. Your daily tasks are micromanaged.
  5. You're excluded from meetings and conversations.
  6. Your benefits or job title changed.