Is it illegal for a company to treat it workers badly?

My husband works for a company that cleans buildings. Everyday the people of the building that they clean come in and start cursing and yelling at my husband and the other employees for things that have nothing to do with cleaning. My husbands boss says to either ignore it or get a new job. He has looked for a new job for over two months now and it is becoming a real problem being cursed at for no reason every morning. Is there any legal standing to quitting and collecting unemployment for such degrading behavior on the job?
Additional Details
also I live in Pennsylvania

hottotrot1_usa

Based on what you've written, it seems that it isn't your husband's employer who is treating him badly. So I doubt that any employment laws would apply.

NonaMouse

Illegal? nope, sorry, immoral maybe but not illegal unless by 'treating badly" you mean they deny you the legal rest time afforded everyone or they pay less than minimum wage or they are not paying into federal income Tax or Social Security on your behalf.
being mean and grumopy and not giving you any bonus or gifts is miserable (been there done that) but not illegal. Good luck..have you thought of getting a different job?
Here is a website where you can look up the actual employment laws in Pennsylvania.
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=185&q=56262

TellyB

Unless this breaks a law, it is not illegal. Since the people doing the yelling seem to work for another company, there is not much your husband can do. His boss gave him the advice. Your husband can give the people who curse him the information to contact the complaint department or his boss, because he is following his boss's orders and instructions on the job.

garykung

It is not illegal in the aspect of labor regulations since it is not a labor issue.

However, your husband can sue the people who yell at him for damage by emotional distress.

Clark Kent

It is not your employer's fault if someone not connected with your company bothers you. The issue would be with the people abusing you.

Dana R

You should check with a workers' compensation attorney. Here in California there are laws against it. It causes psychological damage which is considered an injury. Check with an attorney. Good luck!

Augustus K

I don't know if there are Labour and Employment laws in the US for poor treatment of workers but in Canada there are laws and they would DESTROY the employer/company.

pt in pa

Actually, the treatment of the people in the building could be considered harassment. If the company your husband works for is a service provider for the building, he should say something to his boss. If the boss says ignore it, he should talk to his boss's boss. If you husband works for the people in the building, he should do the same thing. He should tell that that he is feels he is harassed and that he would like to give his employer and the building owner the opportunity to correct the situation before he makes a formal complaint to the EEOC. Believe me, they will fall over themselves to correct the problem. All employers in the US, are required to take action regarding harassment (and bullying) once they are aware of it. IF they do not, they face potential actions by the EEOC and run the risk of being sued by your husband if the EEOC finds that his compliant is legitimate. The current Secretary of Labor is really down on this type of behavior and there are LOTS of investigators out there that will be on the doorstep of his employer in about a day if they receive a complaint. Good Luck.

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