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Depending on the situation, you could have a hostile work environment[0]. Take a guy who is over weight and weak, make him feel uncomfortable about not being "g

Depending on the situation, you could have a hostile work environment[0]. Take a guy who is over weight and weak, make him feel uncomfortable about not being "good enough" to do the push ups, add "good natured" ribbing from co-workers that goes on day after day and subtle "anti-team" vibe because the rest of the team is pushing up together. Likely? No. Possible? Yes. Something to watch for but not something to stress unduly about. [0] Remember, hostile work environment is not about any specific protected class (age, race, etc), but about general feelings of harassment and discomfort. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_work_environment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_work_environment

jrockway 15y ago
Intent is the key. Making you do pushups isn't intended to make you quit, it's intended to be fun. It's a dumb idea, but it's not hostile.
- celsius1414 15y ago
  Dirty jokes are intended to be fun, but they can be hostile. Hostility does not derive solely from intent.
yummyfajitas 15y ago
Conduct which creates a hostile work environment is illegal only if it is based upon the employee’s protected status as a member of a protected class. In other words, not all harassing behavior breaks the law. It is not discrimination if one employee is rude to another employee just because they have had an argument. http://www.eeo.wv.gov/Pages/FAQ.aspx http://www.eeo.wv.gov/Pages/FAQ.aspx In most states fat people are not a protected class. So mocking the weaklings and chubbies who can't do pushups is probably still legal. http://public.getlegal.com/articles/obesity-discrimination http://public.getlegal.com/articles/obesity-discrimination
- kscaldef 15y ago
  Fair enough, but a lot of women have trouble doing more than 1 or 2 pushups. I'm guessing the author's company doesn't employ any (at least on the tech team).
  - antiterra 15y ago
    A lot of men have trouble doing more than 1 or 2 pushups.

jrockway 15y ago

Intent is the key. Making you do pushups isn't intended to make you quit, it's intended to be fun. It's a dumb idea, but it's not hostile.

celsius1414 15y ago
Dirty jokes are intended to be fun, but they can be hostile. Hostility does not derive solely from intent.

yummyfajitas 15y ago

Conduct which creates a hostile work environment is illegal only if it is based upon the employee’s protected status as a member of a protected class. In other words, not all harassing behavior breaks the law. It is not discrimination if one employee is rude to another employee just because they have had an argument. http://www.eeo.wv.gov/Pages/FAQ.aspx http://www.eeo.wv.gov/Pages/FAQ.aspx In most states fat people are not a protected class. So mocking the weaklings and chubbies who can't do pushups is probably still legal. http://public.getlegal.com/articles/obesity-discrimination http://public.getlegal.com/articles/obesity-discrimination

kscaldef 15y ago
Fair enough, but a lot of women have trouble doing more than 1 or 2 pushups. I'm guessing the author's company doesn't employ any (at least on the tech team).
- antiterra 15y ago
  A lot of men have trouble doing more than 1 or 2 pushups.