Going into a hostile work environment each day is never easy, and it can lead to intense mental and emotional trauma if not addressed and/or remedied immediately. If you feel as if you are working in a hostile work environment, it is important to protect yourself legally, especially if you are living in the State of California.
What is a hostile work environment?
The term “hostile” can be extremely subjective, as one individual may feel hostile in an environment where others feel completely welcomed and relaxed. In order for a workplace to qualify as “hostile,” discrimination must violate one or more of the following legal acts:
– The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
– The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
– Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
If you believe your workplace is currently violating one of the acts above, you may require additional legal counsel for your particular situation and case to prove the need for more diversity and inclusion.
Examples of a hostile work environment
Defining a hostile work environment is not always simple or straightforward, as individuals tend to interpret various actions and words of others differently from one another. However, some of the most prevalent examples of a hostile work environment that are likely to trigger additional movements for more diversity and inclusion include:
– An employee or an individual in a position of power making sexual comments or jokes that may be deemed offensive due to gender, race, or religion
– A boss or individual in charge makes homophobic/racist/or sexist remarks to staff and other individuals in places of power with no remorse/guilt/shame
If you are being harassed or discriminated against in your own workplace, it is highly advisable to seek legal counsel and guidance. The right legal team can help you to better identify and address any discrimination you are facing while working towards improving the workplace for all of your co-workers altogether.
