8 Possible Steps to Take to Deal with a Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment is when the atmosphere in a workplace becomes uncomfortable, making working optimally a major challenge.

It is important for anyone passing through such a challenge to note that they owe themselves self-happiness.

Regardless of what life throws at you and the environment you find yourself in, you have to make an effort to find and stay happy.

We believe that happiness should be at the center of whatever goal we are chasing in both our personal and professional life.

In as much as the external form of happiness comes from the environment, it’s essential that the happiness which comes from within the mind isn’t disrupted so much that one loses their mind.

There are a few things a person in a hostile work environment can do to calm the situation at least a bit.

Of course, quitting the job right away is one of the most common-sense things to do in situations where you no longer feel comfortable working at a company.

But then there is this other side where one is not ready to move on for one reason or another, which might not be known to all.

If you’re the person in such a work environment, we would say the same common-sense thing to you: quit the job while you can and hold onto your happiness.

But come to think of it, life doesn’t work like that, what are the chances that the next job environment wouldn’t be like the previous one? You never know, right?

But if you decide that quitting isn’t what you can do at the moment, then you would need to reconfigure your mind to see things in a different way while you work and still keep yourself happy while working on your plan B.

No one can imagine the type of challenges a person might be passing through at their workplace, but still, one has to wake up each day, get to work, and get the job done.

This is where dealing with a hostile work environment comes into play. Looking for solutions can solve half of the problem because a hostile work environment can be a difficult situation for an employee to deal with.

We will look at some possible solutions to a hostile work environment.

1. Speak to the offender

As humans, we might sometimes want to give people the benefit of the doubt, assuming they are not fully aware of the impact their behavior has on others.

One thing to consider when in a hostile environment is to try talking to the person who is making the environment hostile.

Explaining to them how their behavior is impacting you might put them on edge, especially if they possess conscience and common sense. Depending on who is involved, they may even thank you for correcting them early enough.

You may be able to solve the problem yourself by considering speaking directly to the offender, except if the problem involves higher management.

2. Talk to the Human Resource Manager 

If speaking to the offender doesn’t work or if you feel uncomfortable speaking to them, or if the offender is your supervisor or manager, you might want to talk to the human resources manager.

By explaining your concerns to HR, you increase the chance of the issue being dealt with decisively.

One of the jobs of human resources is to handle conflicts that may arise in the workplace because bad energy isn’t productive for any business.

3. Keep a record

Keeping records (written, audio, or video) of any incidents or comments that contribute to the hostile environment is useful should the need for taking further action arise.

Documenting incidents, comments, and actions that contribute to the hostile work environment can be crucial to building a case against the offender or the company. Be sure to include dates, times, and any witnesses to the behavior. This documentation can be useful if you need to file a complaint or take legal action.

Without evidence, it becomes difficult to prove that you have been treated wrongly.

If you decide to keep records, it’s best to keep them private to avoid becoming a target.

4. Find support 

There is a saying that says, “A problem shared is half solved.” This is where it takes effect. Dealing with a hostile work environment can be stressful and isolating, so it’s important to reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or counselor for support. 

Sharing your predicament with a family member or trusted close friend can help take away a part of the burden from you. 

On the other hand, sharing your situation with your loved ones can offer emotional support and help you brainstorm possible actions to take, which is what you need at that point in time to keep going. 

When someone checks up on your situation, it helps you feel less alone and may prevent you from falling into a depressive state.

5. Consider mediation 

If the situation is not too severe, consider mediation. A neutral third party like a professional may help by facilitating a discussion between you and the offender, where both parties understand what is involved. 

Because they are professionals, they know what steps they can take to help you mitigate the effect the hostile environment may be causing on your psychological mind.

They will try to find a mutually agreeable solution, which might cost a little money, but it is worth giving a trial once the Human resource is unable to get the issue fixed for one reason or another and you are not ready to quit your job yet. This method is less formal, but it can probably serve almost any conflict resolution situation purpose.

6. Consider filing a complaint 

If the hostile work situation is severe and all the mentioned possible steps to take do not yield results, then you may need to file a complaint with your employer or with the appropriate government agency.

The reason is to protect your right and well-being from being abused.

7. Seek legal advice 

Depending on your situation at the workplace, at some point, you may need to seek legal advice. An attorney can help you make sense of the rights you have with several options you might want to proceed with.

It is important to note that this step might take a while to get through and the energy that comes with it should be part of what you should prepare for. So patience might be required once you get to this point.

8. Quit the job

This might be one of the hardest but it is also one of the safest options because it frees you from being in that hostile work environment.

Our thought is that if you have taken all these steps and still the changes you want are not as you expected, then you might strongly consider quitting the job.

Doing this is for the sake of your peace of mind and well-being. It is better to quit a job that is affecting your mental health than to allow yourself to wallow in depression. 

It could mean that you prioritize your happiness to move on.

The fact is that if something happens to you, the management will draft out a recruitment ad the next day. Therefore, you must prioritize your self-happiness above any other needs that might be a form of distraction in making this decision.

Bottom Line on possible steps to dealing with a hostile work environment

A hostile work environment can take a toll on an employee’s mental health, job satisfaction, and productivity. 

Fortunately, there are several solutions available for employees facing such a situation.

The first step an employee can take is to speak directly to the offender. Often, people may not realize the impact of their behavior and may be willing to change their actions once made aware of the situation. 

HR professionals can provide guidance on how to address the situation, document incidents, and file a formal complaint if necessary.

Employees experiencing discrimination or harassment, at some point, may need to seek legal advice.

Dealing with a hostile work environment can be complicated and challenging, but employees should remember that they have options and should seek guidance from HR, legal counsel, or other experts to determine the best course of action for their unique situation.

Remember to take care of yourself and seek support where it becomes necessary.

Focus on your self-happiness regardless of what life throws at you, and make an effort to find and stay happy.

Also, keep in mind that situations can be unique and some of these steps might not apply to your situation at a time.

You should use these as a guide to help yourself without overthinking or getting into a depressive state if you find yourself working in a hostile work environment.