Your job should be a place where you feel respected and valued. If others in the workplace mistreat or harass you, that stress could harm your emotional and physical well-being.
Toxicity in the work environment is one of the biggest reasons people quit a job. Unfortunately, getting compensation in court will require more than proving hostility.
Proving a hostile workplace environment
Recognizing workplace discrimination is the first step. Proving a hostile work environment in court, however, could be challenging.
You must show that your boss or coworkers treated you in a way that was so offensive and severe that it affected your employment.
Demonstrating a protected characteristic
Rude or hostile behavior is not enough. You must also show that others harassed you because of a protected characteristic, such as your gender or race.
Cruel behavior is never excusable. Still, it is only illegal if someone is harassing you based on the following:
- Your gender
- Your color or race
- If you have a disability
- If you are pregnant
- If you are over 40
- Your national origin
- Your sexual orientation
- Your marital status
If someone is acting in an inappropriate way, think about talking to a person in management. If your company has a human resources department, talk to someone there as well.
Alerting higher-ups about your difficult situation is the first step. Those in management might not realize how stressful things are. Your company has a vested interest in keeping on staff.
Looking for and training a new employee is expensive. Most companies find it cost-effective to work on a resolution instead.
