Anti-Bullying Legislation Introduced

I had the pleasure today to introduce a new Liberal bill in the Legislature that I am very excited about. It's a bill to clamp-down on bullying and harassment in the workplace – legislation that seeks to balance the right of workers to a harassment-free workplace while protecting employers from frivolous or vexatious harassment claims.

Workplace bullying costs us all. It costs the victim in terms of anguish, suffering, and in most cases financially because more often than not it is the victim who loses their job, not the harasser. Studies show the incidence of bullying from 10-20% and in some occupations that number is much higher. One study found 30% of Ontario teachers and education workers have been bullied by a parent or guardian, 24% bullied by a superior, and 14% by a colleague.

Workplace bullying also costs employers in terms of lost productivity. Bullied employees lose anywhere from 10 to 52% of their productivity. Safe, secure workplaces are productive workplaces. The Australian state of Victoria estimates that in 2001-2002 alone, businesses lost over $57 million due to workplace bullying. Based on comparisons the state of Victoria, Manitoba employers can expect to save almost $14 million each year with anti-bullying legislation.

Reducing bullying in our school system will also help educate Manitoba’s children on proper workplace behaviour, working to reduce bullying even further when they enter the work force and provide positive reinforcement of good behaviour in general.

This type of legislation is not unheard of and has been in place in Sweden since 1993. Quebec has had similar legislation since 2004. Other jurisdictions are considering legislation of their own.

In putting together this bill, our Liberal team has carefully looked at legislative options in many jurisdictions to bring the best possible legislation to Manitoba, legislation that is good for workers, good for employers, and good for the Manitoba economy.

If you'd like to take a look at the details of the bill, you can access it on the Legislative Assembly's website. Here's the link: http://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/sess/b210e.php