HRCI SPHR Exam - Topic 1 Question 86 Discussion

Actual exam question for HRCI's SPHR exam

Question #: 86
Topic #: 1

[All SPHR Questions]

Which one of the following statements is true of a hostile work environment?

AOnly a supervisor can create a hostile work environment.

BA grievance procedure/policy against discrimination protects employers from hostile work environment claims.

CWhen a single incident of unwanted touching occurs, a hostile work environment has been created.

DA hostile work environment may be created when an individual witnesses the ongoing harassment of a co-worker.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

Answer option D is correct.

Generally, injuries are not work-related if the employee is engaged in a voluntary wellness activity (C), eating food prepared for personal consumption (A), or has the common cold/flu (B). This is important for two reasons: to determine OSHA recordability and to determine compensability under workers' compensation.

Chapter: Risk Management

Objective: Review Questions

by Elfriede at Aug 03, 2024, 10:33 AM

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Melynda

4 months ago

I always thought it had to be ongoing behavior, interesting!

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Alfreda

5 months ago

I think a single incident isn’t enough for a hostile environment.

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Joanna

5 months ago

Wait, so just witnessing harassment can count? That seems off.

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Larae

5 months ago

Totally agree, it’s not just about the boss!

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Louvenia

5 months ago

A hostile work environment can be created by anyone, not just supervisors.

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Vanesa

6 months ago

I recall that D sounds right because witnessing harassment can contribute to a hostile work environment, but I’m not 100% confident.

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Colton

6 months ago

I feel like C is too simplistic; I thought it took more than just one incident to establish a hostile environment.

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Jesusa

6 months ago

I’m not entirely sure, but I think B is misleading because having a grievance procedure doesn’t automatically protect against claims.

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Tegan

6 months ago

I remember discussing that a hostile work environment can be created by anyone, not just supervisors, so I think A might be wrong.

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Francoise

6 months ago

I'm a little confused by this question. Is a single incident of unwanted touching really enough to create a hostile work environment? That doesn't seem quite right to me.

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Candida

6 months ago

I think option D is the correct answer. A hostile work environment can be created by witnessing the ongoing harassment of a co-worker, not just by being the direct target of harassment.

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Ruthann

6 months ago

Hmm, this is a tricky one. I'm not sure if a grievance procedure really protects employers from hostile work environment claims. I'll have to think about that one a bit more.

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Levi

6 months ago

I'm pretty confident I know the answer to this one. A hostile work environment can be created by anyone, not just a supervisor, so I'm going to rule out option A.

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Darnell

6 months ago

Hmm, this is a tricky one. There are a few different settings mentioned that could be the issue. I'll need to carefully read through each option and make sure I understand how they relate to the Loyalty member access problem. Gotta be thorough on this one.

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Zana

11 months ago

As if a supervisor would ever admit to creating a hostile work environment. They'd probably try to blame the employees instead.

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Julio

9 months ago

D) A hostile work environment may be created when an individual witnesses the ongoing harassment of a co-worker.

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Jennie

10 months ago

B) A grievance procedure/policy against discrimination protects employers from hostile work environment claims.

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Elouise

10 months ago

True, supervisors often try to shift blame onto employees.

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Pamella

10 months ago

D) A hostile work environment may be created when an individual witnesses the ongoing harassment of a co-worker.

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Nieves

10 months ago

A) Only a supervisor can create a hostile work environment.

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Melynda

10 months ago

A) Only a supervisor can create a hostile work environment.

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Lucia

12 months ago

Haha, I bet option A was written by a supervisor trying to cover their own tracks. Of course they don't want to be held responsible for creating a hostile work environment!

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Altha

10 months ago

It's crucial for companies to have policies in place to prevent and address hostile work environments.

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Kandis

10 months ago

I think option D is also true, witnessing ongoing harassment can definitely contribute to a hostile work environment.

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Jenifer

10 months ago

I agree, it's important for employers to take responsibility for fostering a safe and respectful workplace.

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Elliott

11 months ago

Option A is definitely suspicious, supervisors should be held accountable for creating a hostile work environment.

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Rashida

12 months ago

Seriously? C can't be right. A single incident of unwanted touching doesn't automatically create a hostile work environment. That's a bit of a stretch.

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