In evaluating whether a work environment is hostile, which standard is used?

• A. Economic impact on the company
• B. Duration of employment in the department
• C. The reaction of a reasonable person in the victim's position
• D. The victim's personal relationship with the offender

Answer: (C)

The test uses an objective standard: what a reasonable person in the victim's position would think about the workplace environment given the conduct. If a reasonable person would find the environment hostile or abusive and it interferes with the victim’s ability to work, that qualifies as a hostile environment. This focus on how the conduct affects a reasonable employee, rather than on personal factors or unrelated details, is why this option fits best. The other factors—economic impact on the company, how long someone has worked in the department, or the victim’s personal relationship with the offender—do not determine whether the environment is hostile.