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4/30/2024
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Senate approves Ciccone’s Workplace Psychological Safety Act
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate today passed legislation (2024-S 2473A) sponsored by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone that would provide workers with more protection from bullying and harassment in the workplace.
“I have been introducing similar legislation for many years and in today’s climate of accountability being brought upon harassers, bullies and abusers, we must continue the social progress we have made and pass this protective legislation for all employees in Rhode Island. Rhode Island workers deserve to have the Workplace Psychological Safety Act become law and I thank my colleagues in the Senate for supporting this important piece of workplace protection legislation,” said Senator Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).
The legislation would provide protection for employees from workplace psychological abuse and bullying, and requires employers to establish, adopt and implement an anti-workplace bullying policy to address and investigate complaints of workplace psychological abuse. It also provides a cause of action against employers who knowingly violate this act and allow, encourage or ignore workplace bullying with a variety of remedies including, reinstatement of work, lost wages, medical expenses and punitive damages. The act would also provide an affirmative defense for an employer that addressed complaints in accordance with this chapter.
The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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