Global Utilities

La Trobe University
Equality and Diversity Centre

Hostile environments

A person has the right to complain about the effects of a sexually or racially hostile work or study environment even if the conduct in question was not specifically targeted at them. Students, employers and employees need to be aware of their responsibilities to ensure that the work and study environment or culture is not sexually or racially permeated or hostile. For example one where pornographic materials are displayed and crude conversations or innuendo and offensive jokes are part of the culture.