Hostile work environment – Steps you can take
Everyone has probably worked in an unpleasant environment at some point in their career, or maybe dodged a bullet?at an interview.?Maybe you’ve had annoying co-workers or a perfectionistic manager. You may have worked in a setting where people were rude, loud, obnoxious, and even combative at times. But does any of these things constitute a hostile work environment? Of course, if you are in a work situation that is making you unhappy and overwhelmed with stress or disrespectful co-workers, you can take steps to remedy it. However, does this mean you are working in hostile conditions?
According to a new Gallup poll,?48% of U.S. workers?are looking for a new job opportunity, either actively or passively. Businesses are dealing with extremely high quit rates, with 3.6 million people resigning in one month in 2021. Some reasons people may be leaving their workplace is because of a hostile or unpleasant work environment. However, these two conditions are different. One has a legal definition, while the other does not.
A work environment must meet certain legal requirements to be considered hostile. Just feeling uncomfortable does not necessarily mean that it is hostile.
It’s helpful to know?what a hostile work setting looks like?so you will know what necessary steps to take.
What is a hostile work environment?
A hostile work environment involves a violation of workplace law. It is behavior that goes directly against the rules set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and its laws form the basis of a discrimination-free workplace. When someone breaks any of these laws, they are creating a hostile work environment. Therefore, following these rules can help guide permissible, legal workplace conduct.
When a?boss, manager?or co-worker creates a hostile work environment, they are violating the discrimination laws of the EEOC. No one can be harassed, discriminated against, or face hostility due to any of the following:
If someone at your workplace discriminates against you because of any of these things, they are creating a hostile environment and are subject to consequences.
Let’s look at two examples for better clarity:
Example 1:?You share a cubicle with another person. Your co-worker is generally loud when on the phone and doesn’t practice courteous behavior when you are trying to work.
Example 2:?Your boss makes continued inappropriate jokes about your disability and often mocks you for it.
Are both of these situations hostile work environments? Actually, only the second example is violating workplace laws concerning a hostile environment. There is a third example that is a borderline violation but would probably only need a stern warning from HR. This would be a co-worker who made a “one-off” inappropriate comment. It could be a sexually inappropriate comment or something else. If it only happened once, it’s not necessarily a hostile workplace, but a warning would still be in order.
Legal implications and requirements for a hostile work environment
For a work environment to?cross the line?from being annoying to being hostile, it must meet three legal requirements as follows:
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Discriminatory
As stated in the EEOC laws, employees and employers can’t discriminate against anyone from the protected classes. This includes derogatory comments about someone’s race, gender, color, religion, and so on.
Long-lasting
The hostile behavior must be ongoing or long-lasting. People can make mistakes or say something inappropriate once in a while, but that can be dealt with and nipped in the bud. However, when it turns into an ongoing behavior, it contributes to a hostile workplace.
Disrupts the workplace
The person’s behavior or actions must be disruptive and seriously impair your ability to complete the work. In some instances, it may disrupt your work at the moment, and at other times, it can hinder your long-term goals. Both are contributing to a hostile environment.
Steps to deal with a hostile work environment
What can you do if you’re on the receiving end of a hostile work environment? There are a few?steps you can take?to help resolve it. Of course, no one likes to have problems. So, finding a resolution is usually the best way to move forward at work.
The first thing you can do is talk to the person who is being offensive. Tell them about their offending behavior and ask them to stop. In many instances, this will put an end to the problem. It’s not improper to confront the person, and you can do so tactfully. Sometimes a person may not realize that they are being discriminatory or inappropriate.
If you are the type of person who finds it difficult to talk to another person about offending behavior, you can have a manager help you with it. Additionally, you can discuss the issue with someone in the human resources department.
If the person you are having difficulties with is a co-worker, having human resources involved may be the best option since you will have documentation that you sought assistance.
Final tips
Keep in mind that no matter who you report for discrimination or hostile work attitudes, they can’t retaliate against you. In other words, if you have to report your boss for inappropriate behavior, you can’t be fired for it. They can’t threaten you or hold you back from promotions or raises, either.
The best course of action when facing a hostile work environment is to take steps right away to resolve it. Seek help from an immediate supervisor or human resources manager and have them address the issue right away.
Relationship Builder │ People Enthusiast │ Lifelong Learner │ Technical Recruiter at Adyen
1 年Appreciate this legal description. Thankfully I’ve never worked in a hostil environment. Truly helpful to know the signs and what to look for. Not only for yourself but for the entire team.