Is bullying considered a form of discrimination under EEO laws?

Bullying can contribute to a hostile work environment, which is a key focus of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws. While EEO laws specifically protect individuals from discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, and disability, bullying itself is not explicitly categorized as a form of discrimination under these laws. However, bullying can lead to a workplace atmosphere that is detrimental to employees and can result in issues related to discrimination if it targets individuals based on these protected characteristics.

If bullying is based on any form of discrimination (for instance, if an employee is bullied due to their race or gender), it can be considered part of a discriminatory practice. However, the general definition of bullying encompasses behaviors that may not involve protected characteristics, thus making it a concern that workplaces must manage to maintain a respectful and safe environment.

This context helps to clarify why bullying may not be seen as outright discrimination under EEO laws, but still plays a significant role in creating an environment that can violate those laws through the creation of a hostile work environment.