1/24/07 San Francisco City Council - Resolution on Anti-bullying The San Francisco County/City Board of Supervisors 

Resolution requesting the Department of Human Resources recognize the detrimental impact of mobbing (aka workplace bullying) on creating a safe and productive workplace for all employees was adopted:

WHEREAS, Mobbing, a common form of workplace harassment where one group of employees psychologically harasses or bullies another colleague, directly impacts not only the emotional well-being of those targeted, but also the productivity of the entire workforce; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two decades social scientists have documented the workplace phenomenon and its effects on both employees and employers; and

WHEREAS, This psychological harassment can be manifested in the form of verbal comments, constant criticism, isolation and withholding information among many other harassing behaviors; and,

WHEREAS, Mobbing often targets employees whose excellent job performance distinguishes them from colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Workplace harassment has a tangible effect on the emotional well-being, job performance and physical health of those targeted; and

WHEREAS, Though every incident of mobbing differs, they often follow a predictable pattern that begins with increased intimidation and isolation and climaxes with a claim by a group of colleagues that the victim has committed an offense that requires immediate adjudication; and

WHEREAS, Regardless of the outcome of any investigation into the alleged offenses, targets of mobbing often voluntarily resign due to an increase in work related anxiety; and

WHEREAS, An estimate two to five percent of employees will become victims of mobbing at some point during their careers; and

WHEREAS, It has been demonstrated that those people who have been targeted by this form of emotional abuse commit suicide at a higher rate; and

WHEREAS, The increased rates of absenteeism, decreased productivity, along with the added health care and legal costs that result from workplace harassment represent the true cost of these harassing techniques to employers; and

WHEREAS, All forms of workplace harassment are against the employment policies of the City and County of San Francisco; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco condemns this abusive workplace behavior; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the City and County requests the Department of Human Resources to report back to the Board of Supervisors within 60 days how, if at all, it can include mobbing, and all forms of psychological harassment, in their policies covering workforce harassment.