Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) — Two lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to prevent bullying and gossiping or ‘tsismis’ against fellow employees in the workplace.
Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo define office bullying as \”any severe or repeated use by one or more employees of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at an employer, co-employee, or any person with whom he/she has professional relations or dealings which infringes on the rights of another at work premises.\”
“Offering, publishing, distributing, or spreading rumors, false news and information, gossip” directed against officemates were also defined as abusive and prohibited acts under House Bill 8446.
The measure aims to establish procedures for employees to anonymously report prohibited acts, protect employees who speak out, and ensure prompt investigation into reports of workplace bullying.
If determined that abusive acts had been committed, administrative and human relations officers could take action against violators and even notify law enforcement if criminal charges under the Revised Penal Code may be pursued against perpetrators, the measure said.
The bill’s provisions will take effect in government and non-government offices, while workplaces that do not comply will be slapped with a suspension of their permit to operate, it added.
