This can be classified as a hostile work environment.
Not a hostile work environment, under Ohio law.
Indirect Harassment? Maybe
Fireable offense for harassment? Possibly.
And no, I do not condone what she did. But a one time stupid mistake, notwithstanding serious offenses, should not, and in this case, will not, cost an employee her job.
Read Ohio's law on Hostile Work Environment.
UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT
Hostile work environments in Ohio exist in many forms. Each hostile work environment, however, shares at least three characteristics:
- One or more employee is discriminated against or harassed because of his or her sex, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or disability;
- The mistreatment is severe and persistent; and
- The discrimination or harassment makes it difficult or impossible for the targeted individual to do his or her work or stay on the job at all. This is often called “severe and pervasive.”
If you regularly receive insults, get denied promotions and training opportunities, get assigned to the most dangerous or hazardous tasks, or get propositioned for sexual favors, then you may be working in a hostile environment. Be aware, however, that courts generally do not consider either a single off-color or bigoted comment or a one-time request for a date evidence of hostility unless what happened was so egregious that it inflicted an injury or showed real intent to cause harm.
You're misinformed, or ignorant, or both.