A key component of EEO complaints alleging harassment is that a "hostile work environment" was created. You know it’s your agency’s responsibility to prevent it – but what constitutes a hostile work environment?

In straightforward language, this pamphlet explains harassment and hostile work environment as well as how they are connected. You find out how the basis for agency liability is formed, so you can get everyone -- HR, EEO officials, managers and supervisors -- on the same page to prevent it.

Written specifically for federal agencies, with cites to EEOC and court decisions, Hostile Work Environment shows you how to head off situations that tend to develop into complaints, including how to:

• Avoid "collateral damage" — when the target of a comment is not offended, but another employee is
• Apply the four criteria for identifying hostile environment
• Exercise reasonable care to prevent harassment
• Develop a successful anti-harassment policy
• Handle the emerging challenge of religious harassment
• And more

Plus, you get real-life scenarios giving you the chance to determine how you think the EEOC would rule – helping you understand what makes a "hostile" work environment.