What type of remark can contribute to hostile-environment harassment?

Sexual jokes or comments play a significant role in contributing to hostile-environment harassment. Such remarks create an intimidating, offensive, or hostile work environment, which can be detrimental to employee morale and productivity. When sexual jokes or comments are made, they often target individuals based on their gender or sexual orientation, reinforcing negative stereotypes and making the workplace uncomfortable for those affected. This behavior can lead to feelings of alienation and fear, ultimately impacting the overall workplace culture and the well-being of employees.

In contrast, compliments on work performance, discussions around personal hobbies, and work-related feedback generally focus on professional accomplishments or interests that do not contribute to a hostile atmosphere. These types of interactions usually foster positive relationships among coworkers and do not carry the same potential for creating an intimidating environment.