A hostile work environment is defined as what?

A hostile work environment is defined as what?

• A. A peaceful and collaborative workplace culture
• B. A policy that prohibits all forms of eye contact
• C. A workplace where unwelcome conduct based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics creates an intimidating or abusive atmosphere
• D. A requirement for annual performance reviews

Answer: (C)

Hostile work environment is defined by unwelcome conduct based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics that creates an intimidating or abusive atmosphere at work. The conduct must be unwanted and it has to be severe or pervasive enough to interfere with someone’s ability to do their job or to make the workplace feel hostile. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and hinges on both the nature of the behavior and its impact on the environment. The other options don’t fit because they describe unrelated situations. A peaceful and collaborative culture is the opposite of hostility. An eye-contact policy is not about harassment based on protected characteristics. A requirement for annual performance reviews is a standard management process, not a description of a hostile atmosphere.

Hostile work environment is defined by unwelcome conduct based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics that creates an intimidating or abusive atmosphere at work. The conduct must be unwanted and it has to be severe or pervasive enough to interfere with someone’s ability to do their job or to make the workplace feel hostile. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and hinges on both the nature of the behavior and its impact on the environment.

The other options don’t fit because they describe unrelated situations. A peaceful and collaborative culture is the opposite of hostility. An eye-contact policy is not about harassment based on protected characteristics. A requirement for annual performance reviews is a standard management process, not a description of a hostile atmosphere.