HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 8

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Brian K. Moore

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT; REQUESTING THE LABOR DEPARTMENT TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, violence in the workplace begins long before fists fly or lethal weapons are drawn; and

     WHEREAS, resentment and aggression routinely displace cooperation and communication in the workplace; and

     WHEREAS, impersonal hostility that is deliberate, repeated and severe enough to harm another employee's health or economic status has come to be identified as "workplace bullying"; and

     WHEREAS, only rarely does the target of workplace bullying have protected legal status so as to be able to bring a lawsuit against the bully; and

     WHEREAS, workplace bullying is estimated to be at least three times more prevalent than sexual or racial harassment; and

     WHEREAS, workplace bullying may cause stress-related problems, including sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress, depression, panic and other psychological disorders; and

     WHEREAS, studies estimate that only thirteen percent of workplace bullies receive negative consequences; and

     WHEREAS, workplace bullying is costly to both employers and employees because of increased health care utilization and its link to increased premiums; and

     WHEREAS, other states have begun to address the problem of workplace bullying through a combination of legislation and education; 

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the labor department be requested to convene a task force to study the many facets of workplace bullying in New Mexico and the ways to reduce it; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be comprised of one representative each designated by the secretary of labor; the secretary of human services; the secretary of children, youth and families; the secretary of economic development; the director of the risk management division of the general services department; and the director of the state personnel office; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report to the interim legislative health and human services committee by its October 2006 meeting with recommendations on strategies to decrease the incidence of workplace bullying in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of labor; the secretary of human services; the secretary of children, youth and families; the secretary of economic development; the director of the risk management division of the general services department; and the director of the state personnel office.

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