Hostile work environments can cause trauma that affects every aspect of one’s life. For example, sexual harassment in the workplace makes one feel unsafe at work, which can jeopardize their sense of financial security and physical and mental wellbeing. Under United States labor laws, a hostile work environment is defined as a workplace environment that—due to discriminatory, unwelcome, or offensive behavior—is difficult or uncomfortable to work in. If you find yourself in a hostile work environment, it’s your right to take action to protect yourself and remedy the situation. Below, we’ve provided a list of hostile workplace examples so you can familiarize yourself with what constitutes a legally actionable breach of your rights. Contact an employment lawyer for more information.

Examples of Hostile Work Environment

Discussions of Sexual Activity

Joe and Sally have neighboring cubicles in the office, and Joe regularly makes unwanted comments about his sexual history or sexual preferences to Sally, who has repeatedly said that she’s uninterested. Despite her insistence that he stop, Joe persists. This hostile work environment violates the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Policy Guidance on Current Issues of Sexual Harassment.

Unwelcome Comments About One’s Physical Appearance

Joe and Sally regularly arrive at the office at the same time. Although Sally never comments on Joe’s appearance, Joe often tells Sally that she looks “sexy” or “hot” in her outfit. Joe continues to make these comments, despite Sally’s objections. This hostile workplace example, too, violates the EEOC’s Policy Guidance on Current Issues of Sexual Harassment.

Jokes About One’s Gender, Sexual or Racial Identity, or Disability

When Joe and Sally meet at the water cooler on their lunch break, Sally sometimes makes insensitive jokes about a racial group that Joe identifies as. Sally continues to make these jokes every now and then, despite Joe’s asking her to stop. This example of a hostile work environment violates Section 703(a)(1) of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2.

Rude or Unpleasant Gestures to Coworkers

Joe is busy handling a project at work and asks Sally for help. However, Sally is busy preparing a client presentation scheduled for later that afternoon. To stay on top of her project preparation, she politely refuses Joe’s request for help. In response, Joe scowls and sticks his middle finger at her and calls her a derogatory term for a woman. This kind of behavior not only disrupts workflow but also creates a climate of fear and hostility. This hostile workplace example violates Section C(3) of the EEOC’s Policy Guidance on Current Issues of Sexual Harassment.

Sabotaging One’s Projects

Joe is angry at Sally because she refused to assist on his project at work. In retaliation, Joe interrupts Sally’s client presentation and makes efforts to distract her. After he’s asked to leave, he deletes the copy of the presentation from her computer so she cannot send it to her clients afterward. Such actions can have severe professional repercussions, leading to loss of clients and damage to one’s reputation. This example of a hostile work environment is a form of bullying that is illegal and may have grounds for a civil lawsuit.

Using Demeaning Terms or Names to Refer to Someone

Joe called Sally a degrading and demeaning term for a woman. Using hostile language such as this that is offensive to a protected category of people is a hostile workplace example and grounds for creating a hostile work environment in violation of Title VII. Such language perpetuates discrimination and can deeply affect the self-esteem and mental health of the person targeted.

Sharing Sexually Suggestive or Revealing Pictures

If Joe shares a sexually suggestive photo of Sally without her consent, this is in violation of California’s “revenge porn” laws as defined by Penal Code 647j4 PC. To share lewd photos of someone without their consent constitutes the creation of a hostile work environment. This example of a hostile work environment can also lead to severe legal consequences for the perpetrator and emotional distress for the victim. If you’ve been the victim of such actions, contact our offices today for a free consultation with a California sexual harassment lawyer.

Unnecessarily Touching Someone

Sally and Joe are joking around at the office and Sally continues to grab hold of Joe whenever she laughs. Even though Joe has repeatedly told her to cut it out, she persists. This hostile workplace example may be in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Unwanted physical contact can escalate to more severe forms of harassment if not addressed promptly.

Uttering Threats or Behaving Threateningly

Sally and Joe get into an argument during their lunch break at the office. In the heat of the moment, Sally screams at Joe and tells him that she’s going to “have someone kick his ass.” This example of a hostile work environment constitutes uttering a threat and it is in violation of Title VII and therefore creates a hostile work environment. Threatening behavior can make the workplace feel unsafe and can significantly impact one's ability to perform their job effectively.

Sharing Unwanted Notes

While at work, Sally passes Joe flirtatious notes despite Joe’s clear indication that he’s happily married and is uninterested in her advances. If Sally persists despite Joe’s warnings, then Sally would be in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This is a hostile workplace example, as persistent unwanted attention can make it difficult for the victim to feel comfortable and focused at work.

Making Inappropriate Contact Outside of Work Settings

If Sally shows up at Joe’s daughter’s ballet recital to “show support” for his daughter, even though Joe did not invite her and has repeatedly rejected her advances, then this may constitute stalking and contravenes Title VII. Such signs of a hostile work environment blur the lines between personal and professional boundaries, further exacerbating the hostile environment.

Violent Touching or Contact

Sally and Joe often get into playful arguments at work. Sometimes, the arguments turn physical and they playfully push each other in the shoulder. However, one day Sally kicks Joe in the groin with such force that it causes him to double over in pain. Sally has committed assault and harassment and, as such, is in violation of Title VII as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This example of a hostile work environment not only creates a hostile environment but also poses a significant risk to physical safety at work.

Sending Unwelcome Emails or Text Messages

Joe and Sally often have friendly discussions at the office, but Joe insists on carrying them forward into their after-work life. Sally refuses Joe’s advances and cuts off communication after work. However, Joe persists by constantly sending her emails and SMS messages. Although these messages may have benign content, they are unwelcome and therefore can create a hostile workplace example that contravenes Title VII. Persistent communication outside of work hours can invade personal privacy and contribute to ongoing stress and anxiety.

Isolation and Exclusion

Joe and Sally work in the same department, but Joe's colleagues often exclude him from important meetings and social events because of his race. Despite his repeated complaints to management, the exclusion continues, impacting his ability to perform his job effectively. Isolation and exclusion based on race or any other protected characteristic not only affect job performance but also create a toxic work environment. This sign of a hostile work environment violates the principles of equal opportunity and fair treatment.

Crossed Thresholds

In these California law, Title VII, and EEOC hostile work environment examples, it's not just about the incidents themselves but about the thresholds that are crossed and the unspoken rules that are broken. Each case we handle is a deep dive into the intricate ecosystem of workplace relations, power imbalances, and cultural norms. There are many ways that a workplace can turn hostile. The examples of hostile work environments listed above represent some of the most common ways that a workplace can become unsafe, uncomfortable, or distressing in such a way that it constitutes legal action.

Have a Sexual Harassment or Hostile Work Environment Claim in California?

Our attorneys act as both advocates and chroniclers, meticulously mapping out the terrain of your experiences to highlight patterns and precedents that transcend individual grievances. This process is not just about litigation, it’s about articulating a story that demands a rethinking of workplace cultures. We aim to transform your legal challenge into a catalyst for change, paving the way for a workplace where respect and dignity are not just expected but embedded in the very fabric of the organizational culture. If you require a California sexual harassment lawyer, contact our offices today for a free consultation so you can seek justice, heal, and move forward with your life.