(Unsplash)



A measure filed in the 19th Congress seeks to put an end to office bullying, which has been described as a longtime problem. ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo and Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Tulfo filed House Bill (HB) No.8446 or the proposed Anti-Bullying in the Workplace Act. “Matagal nang issue itong bullying sa trabaho, hindi lang napapansin dahil iniisip ng iba okay lang yung ginagawa nila (Workplace bullying is a longtime issue, it's just being ignored because people think what they're doing is OK)," said the ACT-CIS lawmaker. "In fact, yung mga bosses mismo wala silang pakialam sa nararamdaman ng kaopisina nila, sila pa ang nangunguna sa pambubully (even the bosses themselves don't care about what their subordinates feel, and they themselves initiate the bullying)," she said. "They often disguise insults and harrassment of their officemate in the form of 'jokes' or 'friendly banter' without being sensitive about the victim’s emotions.” Under HB No.8446, office bullying is defined 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, employee, or any persons whom he/she has professional relations or dealings. “Adopting policies against bullying in the workplace would ensure every Filipino worker’s right to just and humane working conditions, mutual respect amongst employees and their employers, and dignity in their work will be observed,” said the authors said. Aside from physical and verbal harm, bullying includes acts of spreading rumors or false news and information, gossip about, or any other acts against or directed against an employer, co-employer, or other person with whom he/she has professional relations or dealings. Credit--stealing and preventing one from accessing workplace, career, or office opportunities are also considered forms of bullying. According to the lady solon, 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 bullies. “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, kahit sa eskwela pa yan o sa opisina (be it at school or at the workplace),” she said.