A hostile work environment doesn’t stop at having a colleague who gossips or a boss who finds it difficult to trust you. It goes beyond that.
(Detailed Examples of a Hostile Work Environment)
A hostile work environment frightens employees and makes them uncomfortable and intimidated due to unfriendly conduct. This definition entails that some actions are considered unfriendly and intimidating to employees.
So what kind of behavior is hostile to workers, and what level of unfriendly conduct can influence a hostile environment? This article answers these questions.
EXAMPLES OF A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT
- CONSISTENT HOSTILE BEHAVIOR
A one-off incident where an employer makes a derogatory remark about an employee may not be considered hostile.
Rather, such antisocial behavior must be consistent and permeative before it can be considered as hostile.
A hostile work environment will always have an outburst of anger filled with racist and derogatory statements that will demean the status of an employee.
- DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
The atmosphere of a hostile work environment is filled with discriminatory and molesting behavior and statements.
Discrimination comes based on an individual’s race, sex, age, nationality or health status.
You cannot have a favorable working environment when there are vulgar remarks about gender, race, and nationality of employees flying around.
In addition to such an environment, employees can be victimized and made to face public humiliation and cyberbullying for no reason. Such a working environment is hostile for work.
- HAVING LOTS OF COMPLAINTS AND THREATS OF PUNISHMENT
One behavior found in a hostile working environment is having workers file complaints consistently against themselves.
There is always a misunderstanding between employees. There are unsettled issues between the employer and his subordinate.
On the other hand, having constant complaints and threats of punishment from the manager daily affects one’s mood. Such an organization cannot produce efficient workers, hence, low productivity.
- CONSISTENT AGGRESSIVENESS
Imagine an organization where the manager yells at the sales agent at will or an organization with unhealthy competition between colleagues.
That’s a typical example of a hostile working environment. You can smell anger and rage in the atmosphere. Everyone works for the downfall of another, with no courtesy and empathy.Â
Even though this behavior may not be captured in the law, it is detrimental to personal and organizational growth.
- AN ORGANIZATION THAT PREVENTS CAREER AND PERSONAL GROWTH
Aside from being paid for work done, every employee seeks to develop and grow in a specific career.
When this is not possible in an organization due to the behavior of a superior, then such can be tagged as a toxic work environment.
If it gets difficult to climb up the ladder of success because your superior criticizes you constantly without a cause, then that’s harassment. Such an organization is not suitable for work.
In conclusion, employers should be out for any discrimination and harassment that hinders a favorable work environment.
Active and stringent measures can be set to prohibit any parasitic behavior among employees.
Knowing fully well that no two humans are the same, it is important to make emphasis courtesy and respect. This will not only bring out the right attitude to work but will also improve productivity.
