My boss is rude to everyone in our office. He often shouts at and belittles my coworkers and me. Can I sue him for creating a hostile work environment?

The answer will most likely be no. A hostile work environment is based on discrimination due to membership in a “protected class”. Title VII, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law each proscribe what groups are “protected”. Your boss is abusive to everyone; however, if your boss singled out members of a protected class (e.g., women, African Americans, immigrants) and you were a member of that group, you could possibly have a claim. Call Joan C. Lenihan, Attorney at Law, to discuss a hostile work environment at your place of employment.