Another tool to fight
workplace bullying
When we experience false accusations, sabotage or repeated verbal abuse, we suffer from a toxic work environment. Nearly 50 million U.S. workers have experienced workplace bullying and mobbing, yet most employers ignore the abuse or retaliate against those who report it.
The effects of workplace abuse aren’t invisible. We see them as cancer, heart disease, broken marriages, unmet children’s needs, lost earning potential and suicides as Dr. Candia-Bailey and others have shown.
Workplace abuse disproportionately harms women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. Anti-discrimination law has proven ineffective at disrupting the status quo over the last several decades.
Lawmakers have an opportunity to strengthen protections for workers in these groups by addressing behaviors that reinforce exploitation and inequity.
The Workplace Psychological Safety Act, SB7, will allow employees in Hawaii to file a legal claim for a toxic work environment as deemed by a reasonable person and hold employers accountable for their work environments.
Workplace bullying reduces businesses’ profits through lost productivity, reduced morale, hiring and retraining new workers, workers compensation claims, reputation-destroying QuitToks and harassment suits.
Employers also expose themselves to liability when they willfully ignore their own misconduct policies and shareholders see press coverage has plummeted stock values.
No one should feel unsafe at work. As technology has allowed workers to expose unethical behavior, our policies and enforcement of those policies must allow for justice for workers.
As fights for worker protections, unionization and equity grow louder, we must address workplace bullying to prioritize respect, dignity, fairness and safety for all workers.
Debra Falzoi
Kapaa, Kauai
Kudos to Hirono
for role in hearing
I knew Sen. Mazie Hirono would be an excellent senator, and I voted for her, but her participation in the Peter Hegseth confirmation hearing was outstanding, particularly compared to others.
I feel secure, in this extremely insecure environment, in the knowledge that she’s representing us well.
Karen Cooper
Hilo