It Is All in How You View It: Factors Contributing to Perceptions of a Hostile Work Climate

Organizational environments that are resistant to diversity because they are less inclusive and less welcoming of diverse employees are likely to promote hostile work climates. When such a climate exists, there are high psychological and economic costs to victims and organizations. Hostile work climates negatively affect victims’ career outcomes and work attitudes and lead to turnover, absenteeism, stress, and poor employee performance that impair the competitive advantage of organizations over time (e.g., Ensher, Grant-Vallone, & Donaldson, 2001; Foley & Kidder, 2002; Murrell, Olson, & Frieze, 1995). Additionally, in 2005 alone, organizations spent over $300 million in litigation costs for hostile work environment harassment cases, not including any settlements for the affected individuals (www.eeoc. gov). For the well-being of employees and organizations, executives should understand what constitutes a hostile work climate and how to prevent it.