Section 40 Hostile Work Environment

• Library: Employer-Employee Law 2008

Contrary to the belief of many employees, there is no cause of action for a “hostile work environment” or “workplace harassment” without more. Threatening, obnoxious, or insulting words in the workplace, whether from supervisors or fellow employees, do not necessarily give rise to employer liability. See, e.g., Palesch v. Mo. Comm’n on Human Rights, 233 F.3d 560 (8^th Cir. 2000) (affirming summary judgment for employer on white female employee’s gender and race harassment claims when plaintiff alleged...