This form contains sample jury instructions, to be used across the United States. These questions are to be used only as a model, and should be altered to more perfectly fit your own cause of action needs.
New Jersey Jury Instruction — 1.2.2 Race And Or Sex Discrimination Hostile Work Environment Created Or Permitted By Supervisor — With Affirmative Defense By Employer In a workplace, every employee is entitled to a safe and inclusive environment free from any form of discrimination based on race or sex. Unfortunately, hostile work environments can be created or permitted by supervisors, leading to a hostile and unwelcoming atmosphere for certain individuals. In such cases, the aggrieved party can seek legal recourse in New Jersey under the specific jury instruction 1.2.2 for race and/or sex discrimination hostile work environments. This jury instruction is designed to guide the jurors in understanding the legal elements and considerations associated with proving a case of race and/or sex discrimination hostile work environment against a supervisor. It clarifies the employee's burden of proof, the necessary conditions to establish a hostile work environment claim, and the affirmative defenses available to the employer. The jury instruction emphasizes the following key points: 1. Hostile Work Environment: The instruction outlines that a hostile work environment refers to an environment where the conduct of the supervisor, based on the race and/or sex of the employee, becomes sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of employment and create an abusive working environment. 2. Discrimination: It highlights that the hostile conduct must be based on protected characteristics such as race or sex. Discrimination can manifest through numerous actions, including offensive comments, derogatory jokes, racial or sexist slurs, unfair treatment, or exclusion from opportunities. 3. Supervisor Liability: The instruction explains that the employer may be held responsible for the supervisor's actions if the discrimination occurred within the scope of their employment and if the supervisor held a position of authority over the aggrieved employee. 4. Victim's Perception: It emphasizes that the objective severity of the conduct is evaluated based on the perception of a reasonable person in the victim's position, considering the totality of the circumstances of the work environment. 5. Employer Affirmative Defense: The instruction acknowledges that the employer may present affirmative defenses to counter the allegations. The defense can include demonstrating that they implemented effective policies to prevent discrimination, promptly addressed any reported issues, and provided proper training to employees regarding discrimination and harassment. Different types of cases falling under this jury instruction can include: 1. Racial Hostile Work Environment: This refers to instances where a supervisor engages in or permits conduct that creates a hostile environment based on an employee's race. Examples may include racial slurs, derogatory remarks, or racially targeted actions. 2. Sexual Hostile Work Environment: Here, a supervisor creates or permits conduct that creates a hostile environment based on an employee's sex or gender. This includes actions such as sexual comments, unwelcome advances, or any form of unwelcome sexual behavior. 3. Intersectional Hostile Work Environment: In some cases, an employee may experience discrimination based on both their race and sex simultaneously. The instruction covers situations where a hostile work environment is created or permitted by a supervisor, encompassing both race and sex discrimination. Overall, New Jersey Jury Instruction 1.2.2 is a comprehensive guideline for jurors examining cases of race and/or sex discrimination hostile work environments created or permitted by supervisors. It strives to ensure a fair trial by providing clarity on legal elements, burden of proof, and the available affirmative defenses for employers.
New Jersey Jury Instruction — 1.2.2 Race And Or Sex Discrimination Hostile Work Environment Created Or Permitted By Supervisor — With Affirmative Defense By Employer In a workplace, every employee is entitled to a safe and inclusive environment free from any form of discrimination based on race or sex. Unfortunately, hostile work environments can be created or permitted by supervisors, leading to a hostile and unwelcoming atmosphere for certain individuals. In such cases, the aggrieved party can seek legal recourse in New Jersey under the specific jury instruction 1.2.2 for race and/or sex discrimination hostile work environments. This jury instruction is designed to guide the jurors in understanding the legal elements and considerations associated with proving a case of race and/or sex discrimination hostile work environment against a supervisor. It clarifies the employee's burden of proof, the necessary conditions to establish a hostile work environment claim, and the affirmative defenses available to the employer. The jury instruction emphasizes the following key points: 1. Hostile Work Environment: The instruction outlines that a hostile work environment refers to an environment where the conduct of the supervisor, based on the race and/or sex of the employee, becomes sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of employment and create an abusive working environment. 2. Discrimination: It highlights that the hostile conduct must be based on protected characteristics such as race or sex. Discrimination can manifest through numerous actions, including offensive comments, derogatory jokes, racial or sexist slurs, unfair treatment, or exclusion from opportunities. 3. Supervisor Liability: The instruction explains that the employer may be held responsible for the supervisor's actions if the discrimination occurred within the scope of their employment and if the supervisor held a position of authority over the aggrieved employee. 4. Victim's Perception: It emphasizes that the objective severity of the conduct is evaluated based on the perception of a reasonable person in the victim's position, considering the totality of the circumstances of the work environment. 5. Employer Affirmative Defense: The instruction acknowledges that the employer may present affirmative defenses to counter the allegations. The defense can include demonstrating that they implemented effective policies to prevent discrimination, promptly addressed any reported issues, and provided proper training to employees regarding discrimination and harassment. Different types of cases falling under this jury instruction can include: 1. Racial Hostile Work Environment: This refers to instances where a supervisor engages in or permits conduct that creates a hostile environment based on an employee's race. Examples may include racial slurs, derogatory remarks, or racially targeted actions. 2. Sexual Hostile Work Environment: Here, a supervisor creates or permits conduct that creates a hostile environment based on an employee's sex or gender. This includes actions such as sexual comments, unwelcome advances, or any form of unwelcome sexual behavior. 3. Intersectional Hostile Work Environment: In some cases, an employee may experience discrimination based on both their race and sex simultaneously. The instruction covers situations where a hostile work environment is created or permitted by a supervisor, encompassing both race and sex discrimination. Overall, New Jersey Jury Instruction 1.2.2 is a comprehensive guideline for jurors examining cases of race and/or sex discrimination hostile work environments created or permitted by supervisors. It strives to ensure a fair trial by providing clarity on legal elements, burden of proof, and the available affirmative defenses for employers.