What Is a Hostile Work Environment?

It’s more common than you might think.

KEY POINTS

Hostile work environments are increasingly common, affecting nearly 20% of workers, and can lead to lawsuits, damage a company's reputation, and lower employee morale.

Training programs should educate employees on recognizing and speaking up against harassment and discrimination, while managers need training on fostering inclusivity, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.

Open communication channels, such as hotlines and feedback mechanisms, foster trust and encourage employees to speak up about concerns, helping to prevent and address issues before they escalate.

Richard Birke Lead Facilitator and Trainer

A hostile work environment is a workplace where discrimination, harassment or bullying make it difficult for an employee to do their job.

This type of environment is shockingly common. Nearly 20 percent of workers say they work in a hostile or threatening environment, according to a 2017 study of more than 3,000 U.S. workers. Hostile work environments can lead to lawsuits, tarnish a company’s image and hurt employee morale.

Rich Birke from JAMS Pathways, highlights the profound impact of a hostile work environment, stating,

“Even if a company doesn’t get sued, a hostile work environment will still 'eviscerate any sense of psychological safety.”

This insight underscores the critical loss of trust, collaboration, and innovation among employees in such conditions, further affecting an organization's ability to attract and retain talent. Birke's observations emphasize the necessity for workplaces to cultivate an environment of support and safety to foster creativity and teamwork.

For a more comprehensive understanding of this topic, read the full article here.

Disclaimer:
This page is for general information purposes. JAMS makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness. Interested persons should conduct their own research regarding information on this website before deciding to use JAMS, including investigation and research of JAMS neutrals.

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