How to Handle a Hostile Work Environment

How to Handle a Hostile Work EnvironmentHow to Handle a Hostile Work EnvironmentEmployees should be able to come into a positive, healthy work environment each day. Unfortunately, many people struggle with hostile work environments. Its important to understand what exactly a hostile work environment is and how to deal with the situation. What Is a Hostile Work Environment? A hostile work environment is a workplace in which unwelcome comments or conduct based on gender, race, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, or other legally protected characteristics unreasonably interfere with an employees work performance or create an intimidating or offensive work environment for the employee who is being harassed. This conduct can severely diminish an employees productivity and self-esteem both in and out of the workplace. A hostile work environment is created when anyone in a workplace commitsthis type of harassment, including a co-worker, a supervisor or manager, a contractor, client, vendor, or visitor. In addition to the person who is directly harassed, other employees who are impacted by the harassment (by hearing or viewing it) are also considered victims. They too might find the work environment intimidating or hostile, and it might affect their work performance. In this way, bullies and harassers can affect many more people than just the targeted employee. Examples of a Hostile Work Environment Harassment in the workplace can take on many different facades. Harassers may make offensive jokes, call victims names, threaten fellow employees physically or verbally, ridicule others, display offensive photographs, or impede on another persons work throughout the day. Harassment might be based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender, nationality, age, physicalor mental disability, or genetic information. While people are often most familiar with the concept of sexual harassment in the workplace, there are many other types of workp lace harassment. Hostile Work Environments and the Law Law related to a hostile work environment is enforced by theEqual Employment Opportunity Commission(EEOC). Harassment becomes unlawful when either the conduct becomes a requirement to continued employment (or if it affects an employees salary or status), or the conduct is considered hostile, abusive, or intimidating. Any individual who believes that his or her employment rights have been violated may filea charge of discriminationwith theEEOC. Charges are filed in three ways by mail, in person, and by telephone. You have to file your complaint within 180 days of the incident. There are some opportunities for extension, but its good to file as soon as possible. It is important to inform yourself about the definition of unlawful harassment in the workplace before filing your claim with the EEOC. The organizations website has an online assessment tool that can help to determine if they will be able to help the situation at hand . If the EEOC is unable to solve your problem within six months, or if you feel as if your case is not being handled properly, you can contact a lawyer to discuss other possibilities. Employers are usually held liable for harassment caused by a supervisor or co-worker unless they can prove that they tried to prevent it or that the victim refused the help provided to them. Other Steps to Take If you do not want to file a claim or contact a lawyer, but you find the work environment unbearable, you might consider other options. One is to solve the issue you are having with the person or persons making the work environment hostile. You might speak to your companys human resources office for advice on rahmen up a meeting or mediated conversation between you and the other party. If staying at your workplace is unbearable, you might also consider resigning from your job. However, even if you are extremely unhappy at work, it is important to resign gracefully and professionally. You nev er know when you will need a recommendation or a letter of reference from your boss, and a graceful exit will help you get a positive review. Hostility and the Job Interview Occasionally, a job interview can be a hostile environment. For example, an employer might ask you inappropriate or illegal interview questions. Before an interview, know what questions employers are and are not allowed to ask you. The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.