Bill Proposes Exclusive Remedy Exception for Abusive Environments

A bill in Wisconsin would create an exception to work comp exclusivity for employees subjected to abusive work environments. SB 460, introduced Thursday by Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, would define abusive conduct as actions by an employer or employee that a reasonable person would find abusive based on the severity, nature and frequency of the conduct. Examples of abusive acts include derogatory remarks and threatening or intimidating conduct. And the bill says abusive conduct doesn't include a single act unless it is especially severe or egregious. The bill would add civil actio...