Working in a hostile work environment is never going to be fun but there are many things that you can do that can limit the stress this type of environment places upon you.

In the main, working in a hostile environment places additional pressures and burdens upon you.
Harassment is common place and comes in many shapes and forms.

Psychological harassment.

This is any behaviour that is an attempt to lower self esteem and cause them torment. This is usually verbal comments but can be actions or gestures. Even constantly leaving you out or not telling you essential work related items can be considered Psychological harassment.

Race harassment

Harassment because of race is all too common in the workplace. Any words, actions or exclusions can be all classed as racial harasament. These actions result in degrading the person because of their race and can cause them unnecessary suffering

Religious harassment

Verbal physcological or physical harrasment because of an attachment to a particular religion or religious group.

Sexual harassment

Very common in the workplace. It involves unwanted and unwelcome words, deeds, actions, gestures, symbols, or behaviours of a sexual nature that make the target feel uncomfortable and vulnerable.

Course of Action to be taken

All of the above types if experienced should be reported to your senior supervisor as soon as possible. If he/she is part of the harrassment then it should be reported to their immediate supervisor.

Harassment is a form of bullying and is not to be tolerated in any workplace. There are indeed laws against this.

If you find that despite reporting matters to your supervisor/ employer the harassment continues then you have the right to consult a lawyer and take the employer to an industrial tribunal as the law states that they have a duty of care to their employees and that includes protecting them from this kind of behaviour.

You may find that in pursuing this course of action then other people may come forward that will help your case as it may be a pattern of behaviour that has become acceptable through time when in fact it should never have begun in the first place.

There are many agencies that can provide support and information re this and is much more common than people realise.

Just remember that harassment whatever the type is not be tolerated and should be stopped.