(NOTE: Part of responsible blogging is making a good faith attempt to provide different perspectives and opinions, which is why I’m running this. The author’s complaint is that the damage limits are too low, and suggests that higher limits are necessary in order for the bill be effective. My first reaction is that this might fall into the “perfect as the enemy of the good” trap, where a decent bill is dismissed as not being the perfect bill. More importantly, however, the author overlooks — or chooses to ignore — the more daunting element to business, which is the increased legal overhead. While the $25K damage award might not get a firm’s attention, a case that runs up legal fees and litigations costs to several times that amount would. And most firms will initially incur legal expenses for advice and consultation as they explore ways to limit or avoid liability under the new law. That advice and consultation could result in workplace policies that discourage bullying. Finally, all else being equal, you’ve got to start somewhere and, this contributor to The Daily Kos, notwithstanding, this is a very good start. – Mike)
On the surface it seems to be a reason to celebrate. But the bill passed by the New York State Senate on the subjuct of workplace bullying is a hoax engineered by a well organized lobby. What appears to be an advance in labor law could have the effect of gutting labor law. The groups lobbying for this bill, which have “activists” meeting regularly and generating support campaigns, are trying to get this bill passed in Illinois next, and they are active in several states.
While a workplace anti-bullying law is welcome, the damage limits must be changed and rendered meaningful if the bill is to act as a deterrent.