Question

Grace is the only female employee in the maintenance department of Escalators Inc. Grace's supervisor and co-workers tease and play tricks on her so relentlessly that she feels compelled to quit. This is:

a) Gender discrimination
b) Hostile work environment
c) Retaliation
d) Constructive discharge

Answer 1

A hostile work environment is created at Escalators Inc., where Grace is subjected to severe and ongoing harassment, constituting a form of employment discrimination and sexual harassment in violation of Title VII.

Step-by-step explanation:

Grace's experience at Escalators Inc., where she is subjected to relentless teasing and tricks by her supervisor and co-workers to the point of feeling compelled to quit, is described as a hostile work environment. This falls under the umbrella of sexual harassment, which is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is essential to understand that a hostile work environment is created when an employee encounters discrimination in the form of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that unreasonably interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating or offensive work environment. The behavior Grace is experiencing has a clear pattern of repeated occurrences which constitutes harassment.