A hostile work environment is created by a boss or coworker whose actions, communication or behavior make doing your job impossible. 1  This means that the behavior altered the terms, conditions, and/or reasonable expectations of a comfortable work environment for employees.
11. to exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern: to rule a kingdom. 12. to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree. 13. to mark with lines, esp. parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like: to rule paper. 14. to mark out or form (a line) by this method.
Rule is defined as to have influence or authority over others. An example of to rule is Mussolini's dictatorship in Italy. an authoritative regulation for action, conduct, method, procedure, arrangement, etc.: the rules of the school. an established practice that serves as a guide to usage: the rules of grammar. a complete set or code of regulations in a religious order: the Benedictine rule.