We're introducing workplace anti-abuse legislation in Rhode Island

Submitted by dignitytogether t3_z0d129 in RhodeIsland

If you've ever been on the receiving end of false accusations, exclusion, or job sabotage, you may be targeted at work.

If your employer ignores the situation or retaliates, you may be dealing with mobbing.

There's a discriminatory impact with this behavior — women and non-White workers are more likely to get targeted at work.

We're getting ready to introduce the Workplace Psychological Safety Act in Rhode Island:
http://www.workplacepsychologicalsafetyact.org

You can help with efforts by signing the petition:
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/pass-the-workplace-psychological-safety-act/

Or emailing info@endworkplaceabuse.com.

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Comments

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fionatheredhead t1_ix5851o wrote

Thanks for sharing this information. Psychological Safety at work is a huge issue nation wide. I've witnessed how much it can take a toll on those targeted. I definitely will be sharing this with others who I know are passionate about this topic.

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Xalenn t1_ix6cces wrote

Of course I'm against workplace abuse but...

This seems way too vague to not be misused.

Most of the examples given aren't necessarily only the result of bullying or harassment.

This seems almost like they want a law against being a jerk, even when it doesn't actually amount to discrimination or racism or anything else that is already covered in other laws.

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UniqueCartel t1_ix5i1n3 wrote

I’m concerned that the toxic people in the workplace will use this as a weapon. Are there controls for that?

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sophware t1_ix6lnzp wrote

Had the same thought, though I'm not sure it was for the same reasons. It's really hard to become part of advocating for this without a more solid response about it backfiring. Fingers crossed. Valuable cause.

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UniqueCartel t1_ix7wa5z wrote

Yeah I agree it’s a great cause. I hope the final language of the law that gets passed is close to air tight. I just know from experience that the most “toxic” person in the workplace is the same person that would claim to feel targeted, left out, and discriminated against. I’m talking about boomer straight white guys while the act explicitly states that women, BIPOC and LGBTQA+ are mostly the victims of workplace abuse. I’m also aware that cause for concern is not a great reason to not do something. There will always be those who abuse a program and weaponize a well intentioned law. But if the program is helping more than those that are seeking to exploit, then that is a good measure for success. I hope the folks putting this thing together understand and take this concern seriously so RIers get the protection the deserve

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix5wpon wrote

There are. They would need proof.

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UniqueCartel t1_ix6ho71 wrote

A toxic person who is making life hell for every one else would have all the proof in the world. Are they worthy of equal protection under any law? Of course. But I’d be very cautious about potentially handing them another tool to become a weapon. My two cents. I read the act, it’s a wonderful cause, I wish you the best of luck.

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OkSalamander8499 t1_ix57f91 wrote

I was raised to believe bullying is just how people communicate.. now i can't even tell if people like me never mind if I'm not being included..

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UsedCollection5830 t1_ix58180 wrote

What about blatant work place racism

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix58sip wrote

Yes! Anti-discrimination law requires proof of discriminatory intent, which is absurd. This law would strengthen protections for those who feel they’re being discriminated against.

Usually employers vilify people who make discrimination complaints so they can avoid liability.

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TwinFinTriggerFish t1_ix5b9aw wrote

I'll back this 100 percent. As a non traditional teacher the amount of shit I get from companies I have to contract for. Everything from intimidation to blatant racism to practices that would curl your hair because independents don't have a lot of workers rights at the moment.

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UsedCollection5830 t1_ix7rw36 wrote

Thing is tho that you can't really prove someone is being racist unless you have it on tape and even if they say the most outrages shit unless it's tape all they can say is I didn't say that and you're back to square 1 and now everyone is against you been through it soooo many times over and over

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Darisixnine t1_ix5f412 wrote

This is awesome, so glad to see efforts being made to stop this type of stuff

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degggendorf t1_ix5pz5i wrote

Neat! Who is "we" in this case? From what I gather, End Workplace Abuse is the movement, the Workplace Psychological Safety Act is the legislation, but I'm not sure I follow who the sponsor organization is.

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chessypockets t1_ix764m0 wrote

I definitely had a thing where I had a medical issue that didn't allow me to come in my last two weeks of work, plus I was already moving soon. Because I didn't finished the last two weeks of my work I actually ended up being blacklisted, even though my work knew I had dental surgery before that affected me being able to come in.

Thing is its still pretty hard to prove your cause without:
1: visual or audio proof via cameras and such
2: getting past "right to work" which an employer could just find some other excuse to fire you
3: Union busting if you needed protection because of of what is already said in number 2 that needs number 1 to support claims to begin with.

I think the overal workforce rules generally need an overhaul catered more to the workforce rather than the management of any particular companies.

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix7zsv1 wrote

I’m sorry you experienced that. Employers have way too much power.

It will definitely be as hard to prove as sexual harassment, and while that law isn’t perfect, it did move the needle on safer workplaces.

I think you mean at will employment in #2. Workers definitely need a baseline of rights, and ending employment at will is key.

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_-finstall-_ t1_ixgdvnj wrote

Leave your psychological problems at home! If you don’t like your job or the people you work with get another job!

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1661466 t1_ixdozr5 wrote

Who's actually introducing the legislation - which GA Members? What state orgs are in support?

Is the text of the bill you want to introduce available for review?

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Desperate_Expert_952 t1_ix4z8c2 wrote

Target of what?

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix4zbv9 wrote

Abuse at work

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Desperate_Expert_952 t1_ix4zehn wrote

What is an example of work place abuse? Like your boss hitting you?

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix4zhdm wrote

Examples are in the post

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Desperate_Expert_952 t1_ix4znfh wrote

Exclusion is pretty vague. Like does that mean if people After shift go out and do invite me?

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix4zuud wrote

Not inviting you to a work event is one example. Leaving you out of meetings you need to be at. There’s more info in the website listed.

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sailboat198476 t1_ix5be7o wrote

More laws more lawyers more paperwork.

But zero results trying to prove this is literally impossible. Make belive feel good legislation.

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix5bokp wrote

Do you believe the same about sexual harassment law?

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sailboat198476 t1_ix5co0m wrote

Usually sexual harassment is paired with witnesses.

Bosses being big Meanies is usually not something other employees would put there job on the line for.

Rhode island is an at will state.

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix5d605 wrote

That’s not at all true about sexual harassment. What is your source on that?

Reducing this issue to “big meanies” is condescending. There are abusive tactics people use to keep themselves in power. It’s about their insecurity. Regardless, I don’t know what your statement means.

At will is also toxic. Employees do not have many rights.

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Cash50911 t1_ix6rp5i wrote

Employees have the single most important right... They chose where they work...

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix7s726 wrote

They don’t choose abuse while they’re there. Workers should have a right to psychological safety.

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redditspacer t1_ix54rf5 wrote

You sure like to spam this stuff a lot.

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix55mbi wrote

“Spam”? That’s minimizing. It’s advocacy for an issue that’s killing people.

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Icutthemetal t1_ix60spl wrote

Please provide an accurate statistic of how many rhode Islanders have died from this.

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degggendorf t1_ix60k5z wrote

This is literally the first I've ever seen it. Has it been posted to this sub ever before?

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shadowcaster11 t1_ix54os9 wrote

Anytime the state buts in it’s a drag on business. That’s why my company was sold and moved to Missouri. If you don’t like where you work quit. That should be the end of it. If you are an ass at work and people don’t like you that’s on you. No need for more laws and regulations

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix55h3m wrote

Tell that to the families of workers who died by suicide after relentless abuse of power. Your understanding of it completely disregards science and the way the human brain works.

If you can’t be decent to employees, don’t be in business.

If it weren’t a problem, it wouldn’t need to be regulated. It’s an epidemic.

Right now, it’s a drag on employees. It kills people.

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Cash50911 t1_ix6s0a1 wrote

An epidemic? Oh come on...

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ziddersroofurry t1_ix7lejy wrote

https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/breaking-point-workplace-violence-epidemic-and-what-do-about-it

https://hrexecutive.com/workplace-bullying-a-wildly-out-of-control-epidemic/

https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/viewpoint-workplace-harassment-is-an-epidemic-and-its-time-to-treat-it-that-way.aspx

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Cash50911 t1_ix7re2q wrote

Your first source has absolutely nothing to do with this. The second two are a trade publication that used a buzz word.

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shadowcaster11 t1_ix53smb wrote

More anti business legislation. Way to go

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dignitytogether OP t1_ix53xcg wrote

How is it anti-business?

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shadowcaster11 t1_ix543h1 wrote

What business have you ever run ?

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MissFrothingslosh t1_ix7bv8g wrote

If your business allows its workers to be harassed and abused, it should be allowed to be operating.

Pro-worker rights does not = anti business, unless that business is in the field of bullying employees. And if that’s the case, let them get shut down.

Sounds like you don’t care what happens past your own nose.

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silverhammer96 t1_ix56vhh wrote

Any business that supports workplace abuse shouldn’t be open

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