Preventing Bullying, Harrassment and Violence in the Workplace - Liberals have been leaders on this issue

Those who read the Free Press today will have noted the "new bill" and "new regulations" to prevent and reduce violence in the workplace.  Those who have followed my blog will know that Liberals have been pushing for improved measures to reduce and prevent harassment, bullying and violence in the workplace for quite some time.  March 9, 2006, we introduced antibullying legislation (see my blog on March 9, 2006).  The principle is clear "Safe, secure workplaces are productive workplaces."  Ending workplace bullying and harassment improves the workplace environment and saves dollars.   The NDP did not support the legislation, claiming that existing legislation was sufficient.  But, we continued to hear of problems with harassment in the workplace that was not being adequately dealt with by the then legislation.

We reintroduced the legislation October 10th, 2007, and then with some improvements on December 9, 2009. (See my blog December 9, 2009). The goal was clear - to have more respectful workplace with much fewer problems with bullying, harassment and violence.  Again, the legislation was rejected by the NDP.  However, as one can see from today's Free Press, the NDP have realized that Manitoba Liberals were on the right track, have realized that the legislation which was in force in 2006, 2007 and 2009 was not sufficient and that continued improvement is badly needed.  Once again, it is Manitoba Liberals who have led the way to move to a better workplace environment and the NDP who are followers.