Hello dear readers, this is Freedom From Workplace Bullies Week, an annual observance launched by the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI) some 13 years ago. WBI describes Freedom Week this way:

Bullying is a systematic campaign of interpersonal destruction that jeopardizes your health, your career, the job you once loved. Bullying is a non-physical, non-homicidal form of violence. Because it is abusive it causes both emotional and stress-related physical harm.

Freedom from Bullies Week (Oct 15-21, 2023) is a chance to break through the shame and silence surrounding bullying. It is a week to be daring and bold.

The power of workplace bullying is its ability to stay hidden in plain view. Make every workplace safe and take a stand against workplace bullying!

This movement and the observance of this week have gone international. Here, for example, is a video featuring Dr. Gary Namie, WBI Director, and Linda Crockett, Director of the Canadian Institute of Workplace Bullying Resources, calling upon folks to be part of this growing global movement. 

Trying to do my bit

In the ongoing spirit of Freedom Week, I’ve continued my scholarly, public education, and advocacy work to address workplace bullying. Here’s a summary of recent activities:

• Legislative testimony — Last Tuesday, I was at the Massachusetts State House, testifying in favor of the workplace anti-bullying legislation I’ve authored known as the “Healthy Workplace Bill” (Senate No. 1170, Sen. Paul Feeney, lead sponsor). This session, I’ve been more closely involved with contacting and interacting with legislators and their staff, whereby I am building more direct relationships with key folks in the State House.
• Forthcoming publications — I’ve got some publications on the way that I’ll be sharing more about in future posts. They include: (1) a law review article setting forth some basic postulates about what we know about workplace bullying and women; (2) a law review article exploring the possible expansion of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act to cover significant risks of serious psychological harm, including workplace bullying and mobbing; (3) a book chapter on workplace bullying and the law in a new treatise about global employment law.
• National Academies Advisory Committee — I’ve just received an appointment to the Advisory Committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education, in Washington DC. The Advisory Committee is comprised of “social science researchers, legal experts, and non-profit leaders who are focused on the topics of sexual harassment, sexual violence, bullying, discrimination, and bias, with an emphasis on how these behaviors occur in higher education workplaces and education environments.” 
• Podcast on Human Resources and Workplace Bullying — Gary Namie and I recently were the featured guests on a popular podcast for Human Resources professionals, talking about workplace bullying and HR. I anticipate the episode will be released this week and will share details.