Employee quit due to swearing - can he sue us? 06-15-2005

I recently had an employee complain about the profanity on our shop floor. The person resigned his position and is presently collecting unemployment. His reason for quitting is the profanity created a hostile work environment, even though the profanity was not directed at or about him. The profanity was basically just conversation. My question is, what are the rulings regarding profanity in the work place both state and federal?

Rita Risser replies:

There are no federal laws prohibiting profanity - in fact, the US Supreme Court has said it's just part of life. Apparently in your state (Massachusetts) a person can get unemployment for quitting because they are uncomfortable, but in many states it would not be considered good cause to quit and he would not get unemployment. In any event, he can't sue for hostile environment.

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