
Did You Hear? The Third Circuit Says Rumors Can Create a Hostile Work Environment
A recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit offers a powerful reminder that workplace rumors—especially those rooted in gender stereotypes—can rise to the level of unlawful harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case underscores the potential impact of gossip and innuendo, particularly when such rumors are humiliating, pervasive, and tied to protected characteristics like sex.