A hostile environment arises when one's behavior in the workplace creates an environment that makes it difficult or uncomfortable for another person to work.
The conduct must create a work environment that would be intimidating, hostile, or offensive to a reasonable person. A hostile work environment may keep a victim from being able to perform their job duties and can even make them fear for their safety. Certain situations, such as sexual harassment, discriminatory harassment, and workplace bullying may lead to to a hostile work environment.
An employer can be held responsible for failing to prevent these workplace conditions, unless it can prove that it attempted to prevent the harassment and that the employee failed to take advantage of existing measures provided by the employer to combat the harassment.
Cases involving allegations of a hostile work environment generally require exhausting administrative remedies before the individual can file a lawsuit against the employer.
Contact the Law Office of Catherine Chukwueke if you believe you have been subjected to a hostile work environment.