People spend a large portion of their lives at work, which makes the quality of their workplace crucial for their well-being. Still, many employees dread going to work each day, not because of the task at hand but because of the atmosphere. This scenario might indicate a hostile work environment.
When addressing the issue, it is essential to understand what defines a legally “hostile” work environment. This applies to employers and employees alike.
Key elements of a hostile work environment
In a hostile work environment, unwanted behavior makes employees feel uneasy, fearful or threatened at their jobs. Several laws prohibit fostering such workplaces. Critical elements often include:
- Discriminatory harassment: This happens when an employee receives unfair treatment because of their protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex and age.
- Unwelcome behavior: The employee did not ask for or want the behavior to happen.
- Impact on work performance: The behavior interferes with the employee’s ability to do their job. This can mean decreased productivity and less job satisfaction.
- Employer knowledge: The employer is aware of the behavior or the incident and did not take corrective steps.
Workplace hostility can manifest in many ways. These can include offensive humor, verbal or physical threats, intimidation tactics or display of inappropriate materials, to name a few.
These actions must be either severe or pervasive. Isolated incidents that are not extremely serious may not constitute a hostile workplace.
Employees in a hostile work environment may experience anxiety or fear about coming to work. They may also feel uneasy around colleagues, struggle to perform their duties and suffer from humiliation or embarrassment.
Creating a respectful workplace is a shared responsibility
Everyone deserves a safe and inclusive work environment. Both employers and employees have important roles in making this happen.
Employers can start by implementing clear policies and procedures to avoid and address such issues. Employees can help by documenting incidents and reporting them through proper channels.
Failure to prevent a hostile work environment can lead to legal trouble. When employment litigation becomes necessary, it is best to enlist the help of an attorney who can work tirelessly to achieve your legal goals.