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Hostile Work Environment
Practical Law Glossary Item 4-502-5338 (Approx. 4 pages)
Glossary
Hostile Work Environment
One form of harassment that is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and state law equivalents. Hostile work environment claims arise when an employee alleges that the workplace is characterized by harassment that is:
- Unwelcome.
- Because of the employee's protected class status.
- Attributable to the employer.
- Severe or pervasive enough to change the conditions of employment and create an abusive environment, judged by both:
- an objective standard (that is, any reasonable person would find the conduct abusive); and
- a subjective standard (that is, the employee in question found the conduct abusive).
For more information, see Practice Notes: