Opinion ID: 1892838
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Hostile Environment Claim

Text: [¶ 23] Doyle contends that the court improperly determined that her claim of being subjected to a hostile environment by DHS was not supported by competent evidence in the record. Hostile environment claims involve repeated or intense harassment sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an abusive working environment. See Nat'l R.R. Passenger Corp. v. Morgan, 536 U.S. 101, 115-16, 122 S.Ct. 2061, 153 L.Ed.2d 106 (2002). In determining whether an actionable hostile work environment claim exists, we look to `all the circumstances,' including `the frequency of the discriminatory conduct; its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and whether it unreasonably interferes with an employee's work performance.' Id. at 116, 122 S.Ct. 2061 (quoting Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 23, 114 S.Ct. 367, 126 L.Ed.2d 295 (1993)). While harassment may be actionable even if it only occurred one time, the inappropriate conduct must be severe enough to cause the workplace to become hostile or abusive. Nadeau v. Rainbow Rugs, Inc., 675 A.2d 973, 976 (Me.1996) (involving a hostile work environment claim based upon one incident of sexual harassment brought pursuant to MHRA). [¶ 24] Viewing the evidence properly presented in accordance with Rule 56 in the light most favorable to Doyle, the primary evidence for an actionable hostile work environment claim is Kiesow's comment that Doyle should go to the restroom because Kiesow did not want to clean it up. According to Doyle, this comment was offensive and caused her anguish. Kiesow explained that her husband had a similar condition, she intended to deliver the comment in a light manner, and she apologized to Doyle after she realized that it was not perceived that way. [14] [¶ 25] Without any consideration of Kiesow's explanation of her statement to Doyle, Kiesow's comment may have been offensive and in poor taste, but it is not conduct sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute a hostile work environment. Accordingly, Doyle failed to establish a prima facie case of a hostile work environment. The entry is: Judgment affirmed.