States act on workplace bullying

School bullying has dominated the headlines in recent weeks, but what about bullying at the workplace? According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, almost half of all American workers have either suffered workplace bullying themselves or been vicariously distressed by witnessing it. 17 states (Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut) have tried to make it easier for employees to sue over workplace bullying, but there are still no federal laws in place.

We’re exploring the topic of workplace bullying, and want to know: Have you been bullied at work? If so, how did you handle it?

We’re talking with Dr. Emelisa Aleandri about her experience as the target of a workplace bully ? and how she fought back in a case that was settled for $1.4 million in 2005.

And Justin Jones-Fosu, leadership trainer and host of partner station WEAA Baltimore’s Listen Up will offer tips for others who are being bullied at work.

UPDATED: We corrected the language above after David Yamada, author of the Healthy Workplace Bill in Massachusetts, pointed out that the goals of the bill do not include criminalizing bullying, per se.