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“Workplace bullying” is another term we hear a lot

from employees calling to seek legal advice. It certainly

happens, and is certainly intensely problematic for the

individual who feels targeted by such behavior, but it is

not- at least not in Massachusetts and at least not at the

present- against the law. Some years back,

Massachusetts passed a law against bullying in the

schools to protect children, but no similar law has yet

been enacted to protect adults in the workplace. While

there are many, many good reasons for an employer to

address and stop behavior that could be considered

bullying, it is not an independent basis for a lawsuit. Be

extra careful, however, if the target of the behavior is a

member of a protected class (see discussion of hostile

work environment above).

15| Rules of the Road