Many of us spend a significant portion of our lives at work. It is not uncommon to spend more time at work and with coworkers than at home with friends and family. As such, the dynamics at work can be incredibly impactful on our physical and mental wellbeing, in good and bad ways. A negative or hostile workplace environment can take a serious toll. Understanding the signs of a hostile work environment and the impacts that a hostile work environment may have can prepare you to effectively confront and respond to toxicity that you may encounter in the workplace.
What is a Hostile Work Environment?
Numerous federal and state employment laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (CRA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), protect employees from working in a hostile environment. According to these laws, a hostile work environment occurs when harassing unwelcome conduct (based on race, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, or any protected characteristic) creates a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, abusive, or impacts the employee’s ability to work. Read more about what constitutes an unlawful hostile work environment here.
Signs of Hostile Work Environment
It can be hard to determine whether or not you are in a legally hostile work environment and law sets a relatively high bar. However, there are some common red flags; be aware of the following warning signs:
- Chronic workplace stress, feelings of being overworked and burnout
- Dread related to your workday
- Workplace bullying, sexual harassment, or gossip by team members
- Unclear goals, expectations, and values in the workplace
- High turnover or feelings of job insecurity
- Lack of appreciation, opportunity to learn, move upward, and low morale
- Micromanagement and/or aggression from superiors
It can be tough to determine whether or not your workplace meets the legal standards of a hostile work environment. An employment attorney may be helpful in determining whether or not your workplace meets the legal standard of a hostile work environment.
Impacts of a Hostile Work Environment on Mental Health and Physical Health
Regardless of whether or not a workplace meets the legal standard of a work environment, hostile or toxic working conditions can take significant toll on an employee mental health and physical health.
Chronic Stress – Chronic stress is defined as a heightened fight or flight response which lasts over a 24-hour period. When experiencing a prolonged fight or flight response, your brain produces large amounts of cortisol, testosterone, and norepinephrine, which in turn causes high levels of stress.
Depression and Anxiety – Research has linked a toxic workplace with heightened levels of depression and anxiety. Symptoms reported include drops in self-esteem, increased substance use, decreased self-care, poor work performance, and difficulty sleeping.
Physical Health – Increased levels of cortisol, testosterone, and norepinephrine – caused by chronic stress – lack of sleep, and substance abuse – caused by anxiety and depression – can lead to other long lasting health issues such as heart disease, hypertension, and cancer.
When experiencing work-related mental health problems, it may be beneficial to consult with a mental health professional. A counselor may be able to help you evaluate your circumstances, learn coping mechanisms, and plan towards moving forward to a healthy workplace. Speaking with a professional may help you avoid worsening symptoms and get you back on track. In the event that your mental health issues are impacting your physical well-being, a counselor may be able to refer you to get the additional care that your need.
How to Respond to a Hostile Work Environment
Unfortunately, hostile or toxic working conditions are common and persist across a variety of workplaces and industries, impacting many Americans on a daily basis. According to a 2024 report put out by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the U.S. Surgeon General, 76% of U.S. workers reported as least one symptom of a mental health condition, and 84% of this group said that their workplace conditions had contributed to at least one of their mental health challenges. If you are dealing with mental health challenges caused by a toxic workplace, you are not alone.
The right course of action will depend on your circumstances. For some, it may be effective to report hostile or harassing conduct to a manager, supervisor, or to a human resources department. For others, it might be best to leave the job behind and search for a healthier workplace and work-life balance. Others may consider taking legal action by bringing a hostile work environment claim against their employer. No matter your circumstance, it is beneficial to consult with an employment attorney at a law firm who can assess your situation and provide legally informed advice about potential next steps.
If you are interested in holding your employer accountable by bringing legal claims, reach out to an employment attorney for legal advice as soon as you can as you may have limited time to act. We represent clients across California, with offices in Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco.
