Bullied targets say there oughta be a law for the workplace!
Bullied targets speak out at Jan. 17, 2012 testimony before the Washington State Senate committee regarding SB 5789, a modified version of the Healthy Workplace Bill.
Bullied targets: Martha (speaking on behalf of over 100 state workers), Thomas, Elaina, “I’m Done!” Richard, Christine, Linda, Mario & Deb
Gary Namie from the Workplace Bullying Institute
Union supporters: Seamus from the Washington Public Employees Association, Sean from the Western Pulp & Paper Workers, Rebecca from the WA State Labor Council, & Melissa from the Washington State Nurses Association.
Jan. 17, 2012 testimony before the Washington State Senate committee regarding SB 5789, a modified version of the Healthy Workplace Bill.
Tim O’Connell from the Association of Washington Business (state Chamber of Commerce), Gary Smith from the Independent Business Association, & Marie Clarke from the Attorney General’s office all oppose the anti-bullying bill.
Listen for the deliberate factual errors committed by corporate employment attorney (and union buster according to his online accomplishments) McConnell about the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress. Smith and Clark simply distort the bill and ignore the fact that misconduct without severe health impact will not be actionable.
Assistant AG Clark makes the remarkable assumption that State agencies will be abusive and not be able to prevent being abusive, and therefore, will be held legally liable. They just can’t help themselves. Hmmm. So much for faith in senior administrators of state agencies. These three testifiers all shared a dismissive and arrogant disregard for the plight of traumatized workers subjected to abusive work environments, preferring to argue that current legal “protections” are adequate.
The Springfield (Illinois) Branch of the NAACP will be host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The march will start at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and continue to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 908 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Past marches have attracted a diverse crowd. “It’s black, it’s white, it’s Baptist, Jewish, Christian, Catholic and Muslim. We all come out and march in unity,” said Teresa Haley, president of the local NAACP branch. “We try to keep the dream alive.” After the march, there will a program at Pleasant Grove, “What would Dr. King Say About Bullying Today?”
Haley said bullying is a problem that elementary school students through high schoolers can face, and it is also seen in the workplace. If King were alive today and saw the bullying problem, Haley said he would probably ask, “How far have we really come?”"He would remind people of what he stood for, what he fought for and what he died for,” she said. “He would try to encourage people to get back on the right track. I think we’re getting lost.” There will also be a voter-registration drive at the church.
If you spend your workday avoiding an abusive boss, tiptoeing around co-workers who talk behind your back, or eating lunch alone because you’ve been ostracized from your cubicle mates, you may be the victim of workplace bullying. New research suggests that you’re not alone, especially if you’re struggling to cope.
By David Yamada, Worcester Business Journal, Jan. 9, 2012
Workplace bullying is the deliberate, health-endangering mistreatment of an employee by a supervisor or co-workers. It may come in the form of the yelling and screaming boss who regularly inflicts high-decibel tirades upon a subordinate. It may come in the form of workers who deliberately sabotage the reputation of a co-worker by spreading lies and rumors about his or her performance and character.
Many people want a law against workplace bullying. The official campaign for this legislation began in California in 2002 (first bill introduction in 2003) and turns 10 years in 2012. The text of the bill was written by Suffolk Law Professor David C. Yamada for Workplace Bullying Institute founders to take to state houses throughout the land.
So, here we educate site visitors about a key part of the HWB as introduced in the 21 states since 2003. The bill requires the “private right of action.” That means that individuals wanting to sue using the bill after it becomes law must rely on an attorney they find and hire. There need not be government involvement. Continue reading this article… »
The question arose recently that we are often asked: “Can I secretly audio or video tape my bully’s outbursts?” Two points pertain. First, is it legal? In some states, yes, the consent of only one party (you) is required. In other states, two-party consent is required and you must not. Here is a great site that tells you state-by-state the relevant laws. Continue reading this article… »
One WBI goal is to educate everyone — the affected individuals, employers and lawmakers — about Workplace Bullying. Acknowledgment of its existence and preventability necessarily precedes corrective action. Our momentum accelerated in 2011, all thanks to new staff, new consultants and new State Coordinators who expanded our repertoire. What a year! Here’s the year-end review. Continue reading this article… »
VA State Coordinator for the Healthy Workplace Bill, Jane Bethel, holds City of Norfolk accountable for promise to create a workplace bullying policy. Nothing done as of Dec. 27, 2011.
Loading ...
Follow us on...