Lawmakers Seek Workplace Bullying Legislation

With a school bullying law now on the books, state lawmakers are considering a measure that would make bullying illegal in the workplace too.

Amherst Rep. Ellen Story, who is co-sponsoring the proposal, says she's heard testimony from people treated so badly by a co-worker or supervisor they had to be hospitalized.

"They either got physical disabilities caused by the stress, or they had emotional disabilities because they were so miserable at work," Story said.

The bill would let employees take legal action against employers who don't address bullying.

Story says current workplace protection laws fall short.

"I think it is incumbent upon us to try to take some steps to see if there's anything that we can do to relieve the misery of some people who are bullied at work," she said.