What Exactly are Hostile Work Environments?
Most people in the workforce may find coworkers annoying from time to time, and many may feel discouraged by a grumpy boss, but do such circumstances constitute a hostile work environment?
In order to file a legal claim alleging a hostile work environment, certain criteria must be met. A coworker’s or boss’s actions, behavior, or communication must be discriminatory in nature and make it impossible for one to perform their job. An employee may have a valid hostile work environment claim if:
- A boss’s or coworker’s behavior discriminates against a protected class, such as race, religion, disability sex/gender, or age.
- The offensive behavior is long-lasting and pervasive, and it is not adequately addressed or investigated by an employer or Human Resources.
- The hostile behavior, actions, or communication are severe and disruptive or interfere with career progress.
- An employer is aware of a hostile environment and fails to intervene.
Employees who are subjected to hostile work environments can file a claim against a liable employer seeking damages. For more information about hostile work environments, or to discuss your case with an experienced Philadelphia employment lawyer, call The Gold Law Firm P.C. at 215-569-1999, or contact us online today.
