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 according to law; rule under law; or rule according to a higher law. The rule of law is an ambiguous term that can mean different things in different contexts. In one context the term means rule according to law. No individual can be ordered by the government to pay civil damages or suffer criminal punishment except in strict accordance with well-established and clearly defined laws and procedures. In a second context the term means rule under law. No branch of government is above the law, and no public official may act arbitrarily or unilaterally outside the law. In a third context the term means rule according to a higher law.