I would like to propose a bill similar to the Kansas bill HB 2720. The bill HB 2720 is an act concerning workplace bullying, abuse and harassment of state employees, state agency policy to address and correct workplace bullying, abuse and harassment. Workplace bullying includes: Verbal abuse and humiliation, threats and intimidation, gossiping and teasing, overwork- including impossible, unmanageable, workloads and deadlines, Isolating, ignoring, or excluding certain workers, setting up a worker to fail, and cyber-bullying. HB 2720 would require all state agencies to adopt a policy prohibiting workplace bullying. Such policies would include a mechanism to allow for reporting bullying, protections for bullying whistle blowers, and specified discipline for violators, and annual public reporting of the levels of reported bullying within state agencies.

We need this bill because bullying causes many problems. It actually takes a large emotional toll on employees, leading to increased stress, low productivity, absenteeism, depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, and post traumatic stress disorder. It also costs companies large economic losses based on high turnover, retraining of employees, and sick time due to stress related illnesses, increasing healthcare costs and difficulty in hiring. Between 35-50% of American workers may be the victims or observers of abuse by workplace bullies. About 20% of this bullying crosses the line into workplace harassment. This amounts to approximately 65 million affected workers.

By you signing this petition it will make a difference and show just how much people get bullied when working and making a living for themselves and their family.