For a worker to be productive and happy in their job, they need to feel safe and comfortable in their work environment. Unfortunately, many Texas residents who work outside the home experience different forms of hostility that can make going to work feel like a nightmare. If you’re experiencing any type of harassment at work, it’s important to understand what you can do.
What is a hostile work environment?
A hostile work environment is a workplace where an employee feels intimidated, offended, or otherwise uncomfortable as a result of the behavior of another individual or group. In order for a work environment to be considered “hostile,” the offensive behavior must be severe or pervasive. This means that it’s not enough for someone to simply make a rude comment – the behavior must be frequent or severe enough to create a toxic work environment.
Types of behaviors that can create a hostile work environment
One of the most common forms of hostile behavior is harassment. This can come in the form of sexual harassment, which is any unwelcome sexual advances or comments. It can also come in the form of racial harassment, which refers to any offensive comments or actions based on an individual’s race. Other forms of hostile behavior include bullying, intimidation and threats. It’s also common for people facing hostility at work to experience retaliation if they report the behavior.
What should you do if you’re facing hostility at work?
If you’re facing any form of hostility at work, it’s important to reach out to a trusted supervisor or HR representative. These individuals can help investigate the situation and take appropriate action to resolve the issue. Additionally, there are many employment laws that protect workers from hostile behavior in the workplace. These laws can provide you with additional recourse if you’re facing hostility at work.
You can report the behavior to your employer, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or even file a lawsuit. However, if you decide to do the latter, arm yourself with as much evidence as possible. This includes keeping a detailed record of the behavior you’ve experienced as well as any witnesses who can corroborate your story.
If you’re facing any of these behaviors at work, it’s important to know that you have options.