Is This A Hostile Work Environment?

I get this question a lot. Okay, most people don’t ask if their situation is a true hostile work environment, they just think that a miserable job=hostile work environment. But, last night, when I was watching The Good Wife and the lawyers got it wrong, I knew I had to act. (I’m only on season two, so no spoilers, please!)

To learn what a real hostile work environment is, and why you shouldn’t be a jerk even if it’s legal, click here: What Is a Hostile Work Environment?

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8 thoughts on “Is This A Hostile Work Environment?

  1. I think there is a storyline that the hourly secretaries want to unionize so they can be paid overtime. I watched that and thought, “Is there nobody in Hollywood who understands how the real world works?”

    But these are the same people who have Alicia in a light, pretty coat and lovely high heels in the Chicago winter. Clearly, they are ignorant at best, although I suspect it’s more that they just are not very bright.

    1. What??? Do you mean to tell me that Chicago winters aren’t mild and dry?

      Next thing you’ll tell me that it isn’t realistic how in every show set in NYC ever that there is always a parking space right outside wherever you want to go.

  2. I get the legal definition of hostile work environment, but it’s a slippery slope, is it not? Many jurisdictions now have laws against bullying which is not protected class dependent and in others general jerkism has been found to have a discriminatory adverse effect on females. So aside from the derogatory cultural aspects of being a**, it’s still appropriate to caution that there may be legal implications.

    1. As far as I know, no states have laws against bullying, and only a few cities.

      If you have more up to date info, I’d love to see it!

  3. What do you do when you work in a hostile and mentally abusive environment and you express what is happening to HR and they yes you to death and tell you that what your saying is confidential.
    But still report word for word what you said to the party in question and sweep it under the the rug while management retaliates anyway it can against you. I feel like I have no rights and that no one cares about what is happening. What should I do next?

    1. Start looking for a new job, find one and leave. If management and HR are unwilling to fix a toxic environment, waiting it out will be terrible.

      Seriously, freshen up your resume and get the heck out.

  4. There are so many people who believe hostile work environment is just mean bosses. I did have a small success with it once. I said in a meeting with HR that I knew bullying was legal but I was very disappointed Company would support it. It gave me some time and space and made them think about it. But that’s really the best you can get.

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