Washington House Democrats

Workplace bullying bill heard in House committee

OLYMPIA –Serious bullying in the workplace can threaten employee health and productivity. A bill sponsored by Rep. Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham), requiring large state agencies to address the problem of workplace bullying in their own ranks, was heard today in the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

"Abusive work environments can have serious consequences for employers, including reduced employee productivity and morale, higher turnover and absenteeism rates," said Linville. "It’s not about someone being rude. Workplace bullying occurs when systematic devaluing of an employee leads to harm and a loss of productivity."

Finding that existing workers’ compensation plans and other actions are inadequate to discourage workplace bullying, Linville has worked for three years on workplace bullying legislation.

House Bill 2142’s proposed substitute would make it unlawful to subject an employee to an abusive work environment in state agencies with more than 100 employees. An "abusive work environment" is one where an employee faces abuse that causes physical or psychological harm.

"The state government should be a model employer, and this bill will make us a leader in the nation on addressing workplace bullying," Linville said.

Surveys and studies have documented that between sixteen percent and twenty-one percent of employees directly experience health-endangering workplace bullying, abuse, and harassment, and that this behavior is four times more prevalent than sexual harassment.

Linville noted the need for good information on the cost and incidence of workplace bullying, so her proposed bill requires the state’s Department of Personnel to report back by Dec. 1, 2009 on the impacts of the new provisions.

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Information:
HB 2142: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=2142&year=2007 

Workplace bullying report (Arizona State University, Dec. 2006, PDF)

Staff: Larry Clark, 360.786.7214, Clark.Larry@leg.wa.gov