Toxic workplaces might not be hostile work environments as defined by the law, but neither type of workplace should be tolerated, legal experts say. Here is an overview of how toxic workplaces can differ from hostile work environments and what benefits employers can reap through harassment prevention training.

Hostile Is More Than Unpleasant Employees often mistake unpleasant bosses for the form of unlawful harassment known as a hostile work environment, noted James McDonald Jr., an attorney with Fisher Phillips in Irvine, Calif., and Tampa, Fla. A boss can be tough without being a harasser, despite some workers thinking otherwise, observed Lori Armstrong Halber, an attorney with Fox Rothschild in Warrington, Pa., and Philadelphia. “Employees often are surprised to learn that anti-harassment laws ban a rather narrow range of inappropriate conduct,” said Kathryn Brown, an attorney with Duane Morris in Philadelphia.