To kick off “October is Bullying Awareness Month,” the National Workplace Bullying Coalition launched their #StopThatNow sign the pledge campaign asking everyone in the workplace to remember that bullying isn’t just in the schoolyard anymore. Millions of American workers, reportedly 1 in 4, suffer from workplace bullying, an epidemic form of abuse that is directly linked to severe anxiety, depression, debilitating physical harm and even suicide. The vast majority of these targets are unprotected and have no legal recourse. For many, the only hope is to quit and face chronic unemployment. How can we stop this?

“Everyone needs to show support for their co-workers or employees and signing the online pledge to be Bully-Free is an excellent place to start,” says Catherine Mattice, NWBC Board Officer, author and founder of Civility Partners, LLC. “Our Pledge is part of the Coalition’s mission to bring together legislators, legal experts for both business interests and employees, labor leaders, business consultants and other interested parties to develop solutions.” 

The momentum for change is building. Last April an earlier NWBC Petition supporting national legislation, which currently has close to 20,000 signatures, was presented to the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus. “We are dedicated to a national solution to this epidemic via a strong federal law, with strong enforcement,” says NWBC Board member and Legal Expert, Prof. Jerry Carbo, Esq. “However, we also realize that at best this solution is years away and in the mean time we recognize there is a role for each and every one of us in stamping out bullying wherever we see it. In line with this we are asking you to take action this month by taking part in our new #StopThatNow sign the pledge campaign.”

The NWBC’s pledge website, www.StopThatNow.org, includes informational animations and references to appropriate resources. For more information about the NWBC, visit http://www.workplacebullyingcoalition.org