A hostile environment is one that’s nearly impossible to work in for most employees. These environments negatively impact employees in several different ways, from reduced productivity to heightened stress and psychological strain.
Fortunately, there are steps that employees can take to fight against workplace hostility. Employees can file a lawsuit against employers, while public commissions can enforce penalties.
Here are some of the most common signs of a hostile workplace.
Discrimination
Discrimination is a definite sign of a hostile place. When employees endure racial slurs, sexist remarks, or retaliation for religion, age, or orientation, the workplace is hostile, and employees can take action. While discrimination bothers employment laws, it also infringes on human rights as well. Sexual assault at work, while less common than sexual harassment, is still a significant issue. According to Sam Dordulian, sexual assault attorney in Los Angeles, a notable percentage of employees experience some form of sexual violence in the workplace. For instance, a 2018 survey by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found that 25% to 85% of women reported experiencing sexual harassment, which can include assault, at work.
If you are experiencing discrimination at work, you must collect evidence and file a complaint with management or HR. Suitable evidence can include text messages, emails, witness statements, and even phone call recordings.
When it comes to filing a discrimination lawsuit against your employer, it’s essential to consult an employment lawyer at HKM.com for legal guidance. Employment lawyers know how to handle instances of discrimination and ensure employers are penalized.
Harassment
While sexual harassment remains a prominent problem in work environments around the globe, employees can take a stance against this toxic work culture by reporting wrongdoings and seeking legal counsel.
Unfortunately, verbal, physical, and virtual harassment are also signs of a hostile environment. Often, when harassment is present in a workplace, employees are also subjected to bullying, intimidation, and generally mistreatment.
Unreasonable Workloads
Of course, every company out there needs employees to work efficiently, but when the workload is excessive, employees become vulnerable to burnout and high-stress levels. Moreover, labour laws dictate work hours and relative appropriate compensation minimums. Employers must offer employees overtime at a rate that is not less than one and a half times their regular hourly rate.
With this, if you are working unreasonable hours and not receiving fair compensation for those extra hours, you can file a lawsuit against your employer.
High Employee Turnover
When an organization can’t seem to keep its employees, there’s a good chance the workplace is toxic and hostile. As a result, if you have noticed that your employer always seems to be replacing professionals, it might be in your best interests to seek alternative employment.
Lousy Conflict Resolution
Another sign of a hostile workplace is lousy conflict resolution. When employees report instances of hostility and are met with retaliation or the issue is overlooked, employees can reach out to an employment lawyer to manage the conflict.
Whether you have complained about harassment, unfair working conditions, or discrimination, your employer must mitigate the conflict and improve the environment. Otherwise, they can face legal consequences when employees seek legal representation.
While employment laws aim to ensure employees are treated fairly in a safe work environment, hostile workplaces remain a problem. However, reporting wrongdoings and seeking legal guidance are the best ways to help put an end to toxic and hostile work conditions.
