44 fictitious scenarios
Sexual harassment
“A supervisor hints that a preferred shift is available if I meet him for drinks after work.”
Conditioning job benefits on personal or sexual favors is a serious concern even if implied.
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual harassment
“My manager said my review would ‘go smoother’ if I were ‘friendlier’ outside work.”
Report even if you're unsure how it was meant.
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual harassment
“A coworker repeatedly touches my lower back in the med room after I asked him to stop.”
One serious incident can be enough to report; you don't have to wait for a pattern.
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual harassment
“A colleague comments on my body during team huddles and others laugh.”
Bystanders can report too.
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual harassment
“A coworker sends me late-night personal texts and emojis that make me uncomfortable.”
Conduct off-site or on personal devices may still relate to work.
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual harassment
“Someone airdropped a sexual image to several staff phones during a training.”
Do not forward the image; describe it instead.
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual harassment
“A same-gender coworker makes repeated sexual jokes directed at me.”
Harassment protections do not depend on the genders involved.
Reportable concern · not a findingRace, color & national origin
“I overheard a racial slur used about a colleague in the staff kitchen.”
You can report as a witness.
Reportable concern · not a findingRace, color & national origin
“A lead imitates a nurse's accent and tells her to ‘speak American’.”
National origin and ancestry are protected characteristics in NJ.
Reportable concern · not a findingRace, color & national origin
“I was told my natural hairstyle is ‘unprofessional’ while others weren't.”
NJ law addresses race-based hair discrimination (CROWN Act).
Reportable concern · not a findingRace, color & national origin
“Coworkers keep asking where I'm ‘really from’ and question my work authorization.”
Raise it even if comments seem casual.
Reportable concern · not a findingReligion
“My request for a brief prayer break was dismissed without discussion.”
Religious accommodation requests deserve an interactive discussion.
Reportable concern · not a findingReligion
“A supervisor mocks a colleague's head covering.”
Reportable concern · not a findingSex, pregnancy & breastfeeding
“After I announced my pregnancy I was taken off the group schedule without asking me.”
Pregnancy-related changes should be discussed, not assumed.
Reportable concern · not a findingSex, pregnancy & breastfeeding
“There is no private space to pump other than a restroom.”
Breastfeeding/lactation accommodations are protected in NJ.
Reportable concern · not a findingSex, pregnancy & breastfeeding
“Only women on the unit are assigned cleanup duties.”
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual orientation, gender identity & expression
“A coworker told clients about my sexual orientation without my consent.”
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual orientation, gender identity & expression
“My manager repeatedly uses my former name and wrong pronouns after correction.”
Repeated, intentional misgendering is a reportable concern.
Reportable concern · not a findingSexual orientation, gender identity & expression
“I was told to use a different restroom than the one matching my gender identity.”
Reportable concern · not a findingAge
“My lead keeps asking when I'll retire and gives new projects to ‘younger energy’.”
Reportable concern · not a findingDisability (incl. perceived & association)
“I asked for a modified schedule for a medical condition and never heard back.”
You don't need to share a diagnosis to report.
Reportable concern · not a findingDisability (incl. perceived & association)
“A manager assumed I have a mental health condition and removed me from client contact.”
Perceived disability can be protected.
Reportable concern · not a findingDisability (incl. perceived & association)
“I was passed over after mentioning I care for a child with a disability.”
Association with a person with a disability can be protected.
Reportable concern · not a findingGenetic information
“An interviewer asked about my family's medical history.”
Reportable concern · not a findingMarital, civil union & domestic partnership
“I was told benefits enrollment for my domestic partner ‘wasn't worth processing’.”
Reportable concern · not a findingMilitary & veteran status
“My supervisor complained about my Guard drill weekends and cut my hours.”
Reportable concern · not a findingPay inequity
“I learned a colleague in the same title with similar experience earns notably more.”
NJ's Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act covers protected classes; share what you know.
Reportable concern · not a findingPay inequity
“I was told not to discuss my pay with coworkers.”
Employees generally have the right to discuss pay.
Reportable concern · not a findingPay hours & benefits
“We're asked to finish notes after clocking out.”
Reportable concern · not a findingRetaliation
“After I reported a safety issue, my hours were reduced.”
Retaliation can be reported separately from the original concern.
Reportable concern · not a findingRetaliation
“Since I served as a witness, I've been left out of meetings.”
Reportable concern · not a findingRetaliation
“I raised concerns about documentation for billing and now face extra scrutiny.”
NJ CEPA protects many whistleblower activities.
Reportable concern · not a findingLeave interference
“My manager said taking family leave now would ‘look bad’.”
Reportable concern · not a findingLeave interference
“I was disciplined for using earned sick time.”
NJ Earned Sick Leave law protects use of earned time.
Reportable concern · not a findingThird-party harassment
“A client repeatedly makes sexual remarks during sessions and the team shrugs it off.”
Client care context matters; report so safety planning can happen.
Reportable concern · not a findingThird-party harassment
“A client's family member threatened me in the lobby.”
If in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Reportable concern · not a findingThird-party harassment
“A delivery vendor makes demeaning comments to front-desk staff.”
Reportable concern · not a findingBullying & conduct
“A supervisor yells at me in front of clients and staff.”
Bullying may not be illegal but can violate conduct policy — still reportable.
Reportable concern · not a findingBullying & conduct
“A coworker deletes my scheduling entries and blames me.”
Reportable concern · not a findingBullying & conduct
“Overtime always goes to the manager's friends.”
Reportable concern · not a findingSafety, ethics & client care
“We're regularly below safe staffing on the residential unit overnight.”
Reportable concern · not a findingSafety, ethics & client care
“Client records were left visible at the front desk.”
Describe the issue — don't upload patient records.
Reportable concern · not a findingTermination concerns
“A colleague was fired right after requesting accommodation.”
Former employees may use the external route too.
Reportable concern · not a findingTermination concerns
“I was terminated for something others routinely do without consequence.”
Reportable concern · not a finding