Labor Leaders Press States to Adopt Legislation to Curb Workplace Bullying

Union officials, civil rights groups, and formerly abused workers urged states to adopt anti-bullying legislation at an Oct. 15 press conference convened by the Workplace Bullying Institute.

Anti-bullying bills have been introduced in 21 states, including California, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.

The bills generally seek to outlaw bullying (defined to include repeated derogatory remarks, threats, intimidation, and humiliation) by allowing courts to provide reinstatement, removal of the bully from the work environment, back pay, front pay, medical expenses, compensation for emotional duress, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.

But all 21 state measures are expected to die ...