A hostile work environment is a term used to describe a work environment in which an employee is subjected to unwanted discrimination or harassment. Harassment can be based on various factors, such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or age, and can be verbal, physical, or visual in nature. A hostile work environment can impact not only the mental health but also the physical health of the employee and can negatively affect their job performance and their general well-being.
Harassment in a hostile work environment can take many forms, including offensive jokes, comments or slurs; unwanted physical contact or advances; harassment or intimidation; or any other behavior that creates an uncomfortable or threatening work environment. Such behavior is considered illegal if it is serious enough to disrupt the conditions or terms of the employee’s employment, such as her ability to perform her job or her ability to advance in the workplace.
One important thing that determines whether a work environment is hostile is the frequency and severity of the harassment. A single incident of harassment may not be enough to constitute a hostile work environment, but a pattern of harassment or a series of incidents that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment may be considered illegal. For example, if a co-worker or supervisor repeatedly makes derogatory comments about an employee’s race or gender, this could create a hostile work environment.
Did you know that the harassment does not have to be directed specifically at the employee to create a hostile work environment? Yes, if an employee witnesses or overhears others being harassed or discriminated against, this can also create a hostile work environment for them. Also, if the employer does not take appropriate steps to address the harassment, this can contribute to a hostile work environment.
