Human Resource Blog

Hostile work environment that not based on protected status or sex

	HR Management
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I’ve been in a work situation that has been excessive in the disrespect, lack of support and constantly challenged to not follow processes and procedures.

This is actually in a customer service outsourcing situation. The Company R is using our Company O to take care of a lot of things such as messaging and network stuff. This was to be a team approach. Not only does Company O provide labor in a day to day operational capacity, but also in responding and suggesting requests on how to make the environment better.

These types of situations are always difficult, I understand this.

However, I’ve been working on a particular project that should have been finished in about 6 months time. The Company R Project Manager, “Bob” escalates every issue, doesn’t follow the project plan, keeps creating new requirements, and continually threatens Company O.

Some issues that he raised are things explained to Bob prior to happening but when they do happen he reacts as though it’s brand new and stops everything. Bob will misrepresent an issue as happening to everyone even when researched it only happened to one person. His requests go beyond what is reasonable. Asking for a 100% guarantee for things over and over and over again when he’s told that there cannot be a 100% guarantee is excessive. He will often times “go off ” in meetings and be derogatory in how he deals with the issues.

This particular PM is not the only one who does this kind of thing, this seems to be more of a norm at Company R.

What makes all this worse is that Company O doesn’t do anything to stop this behavior but does exaserbate it and seems to encourage this if the client calls someone an idiot (this is extreme, but the sentiment does occur) Company O will agree.

I understand stand that stuff like this happens all the time, but this is so intense and continual, I believe it a hostile work environment. Do you agree?

This is a toxic work environment and our advice would be to find a different job ASAP. You may be able to request an assignment to another project. If not, you’ll need to look for another job. Excessive stress can cause health problems, so even if you have to take a slight reduction in salary, you are better off working for an employer who is reasonable.

While “Bob” is violating every best practice in the Human Resources field, he’s probably not doing anything illegal. There is no federal or state law that requires supervisors to treat workers with respect, or to be reasonable.

Bob is a premium example of a supervisor who, in HR vernacular, is called an “equal opportunity a**h***.” This is someone who is equally rude and abusive to all types of employees. Sadly, this doesn’t break any law because Bob doesn’t single out any one group for abuse. It’s simply bad management.

Unfortunately, this situation doesn’t meet the legal definition for a hostile work environment. Legally, a hostile work environment must involve illegal discrimination of a protected group.

It’s particularly disheartening that your employer – Company O – doesn’t support you and the other employees. This type of over-reaction is common in contractor situations, but the management of Company O should be able to defuse it. It’s a company’s role to set reasonable limits for clients. This is a factor in almost any field.

While you are looking for another job, remain calm and deal with Bob the best you can. His behavior is motivated by fear. He’s afraid that if one of you makes a tiny mistake, he will lose his job because of it. So he’s over-reacting.

When you remain calm, it will help Bob to see that one tiny mistake is not the end of the world – or of his career.

When “Bob” conveniently forgets items that have been discussed, gently remind him. “Bob, we talked about this last week and agreed that…” When he is derogatory about an employee, quietly point out that such comments are uncalled for. People like Bob thrive in an environment where everyone ignores their outrageous behavior. But, be very tactful, because jerks like Bob tend to be overly sensitive.