• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / News / Lawmakers introduce so-called Healthy Workplace bill

Lawmakers introduce so-called Healthy Workplace bill

October 18, 2011 By Jackie Johnson

Bullying takes place at schools, then kids grow up. Not so, according to Representative Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison), who wants to prohibit bullying in the workplace. “No one deserves to be mistreated, harassed, or threatened in their workplace, in a school, or anywhere else.”

The majority of bullies at the workplace — 72 percent — are bosses. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or even a false evaluation that prevents a worker from getting a promotion. Roys says it’s more common than one might think. “And it’s very toxic — not just for the employee that’s bullied, but for everybody else who has to work in that environment, as well.”

Roys says nearly two-thirds of employers ignore the problem and only 3 percent of bullied workers file lawsuits. A pattern of abusive behavior can impair workforce productivity and health.

Roys says the goal of the legislation is not intended to punish bullies; it’s meant to prevent bullying from happening in the first place. Current law offers some protections, but only when the abuse can be shown to be based on discrimination against a member of a protected class, such as race, gender, or religion.

Representative Roys and Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) are circulating the bill that would grant limited legal protections to workers who can prove physical or mental harm from an abusive workplace environment.

October 17-23 is “Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week.” According to the Workplace Bullying Institute‘s website, 21 states have introduced the measure, but none have passed it.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:16

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News, Politics / Govt



Featured Stories

Legendary Hank Aaron passes away

Bucks drop second straight, fall at home to Lakers

Hockey Badgers grab series opener at Penn State

Wisconsin’s Mark Johnson named WCHA 1970’s Player of the Decade

Ted Thompson passed away at age 68 (AUDIO)

TwitterFacebook

Listen Now | More from Titletown ยป

Sports Headlines

Legendary Hank Aaron passes away

Bucks drop second straight, fall at home to Lakers

Hockey Badgers grab series opener at Penn State

Wisconsin’s Mark Johnson named WCHA 1970’s Player of the Decade

Ted Thompson passed away at age 68 (AUDIO)

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC