Bill would Allow Comp Benefits for Abusive Work Environments

Workplace bullying by public employees would be a safety violation and aggrieved employees would be eligible to accept workers’ compensation benefits for emotional distress under legislation introduced in the Hawaii Senate.SB 2487, which has multiple sponsors, would give public employees who are victims of abusive conduct a course of action for emotional distress against another employee who is claimed to have made the abusive conduct. The employer would be “vicariously liable” for the acts of the bullying employee and subject to a penalty of up to $25,000.Additionally, the b...