PARTY-list lawmaker wants to criminalize bullying at the workplace, saying it is not right to bully anybody anywhere at anytime.
In this connection, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo filed House Bill No. 8446 or the Anti-Bullying in the Workplace Act.
She lamented that institutions both in the government and in the private sectors often “normalize” and tolerate office bullying without regard to the victim’s mental health and possible emotional damage caused by the perpetrators, “This has been an issue at work for a long time ago. It has never given attention to because others would just think it just okay. In fact, there are times that bullying comes from the bosses. They often disguise insults and harassment of their officemates in the form of jokes or friendly banter without being sensitive about the victim’s emotions,” she said.
“We have to protect our workers. We have to remember that part of our labor workforce’s welfare is their emotional and mental well-being. It’s never okay to bully someone regardless of the place, even in schools or at the offices,” she added.
She pointed out that there were lots of Filipinos who have experienced office bullying “at least once in their life, and there’s no other way to address their grievances.”
“Office bullying should not be taken lightly because most of the victims would just remain quiet,” she said.