Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington

Re: hostile environment

This is always a tough question. There is, unfortunately, no law that says that supervisors and co-workers can't be jerks, unless they are doing so for an illegal reason.

Remember that a "hostile work environment" is only illegal if the motivation for the hostile work environment is illegal. For example, if you are being picked on because you are a Moslem, or because of your sexual orientation, that is illegal. If you are being picked on because you drive an old car, or because you are the most recently hired employee, that is really bad management, but it is not illegal.

If the hostile work environment is happening for an illegal reason, you have grounds for a legal complaint. The others, by law, should not retaliate against you for making the legal complaint (either through the WHRC or through an attorney) but in fact, they probably will.

Therefore, whether or not the cause of the hostile workplace is an illegal motivation, you might try resolving this at the next level up, or through the HR department, if that is an option. If that is not an option, either look for other work, or, if the motive for harassing you is illegal, talk to an attorney about how to take the next step. But do so with eyes wide open that things are likely to get worse before they get better.