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“We commend the government of Nova Scotia for this initiative and we would like them to know that if there is anything we can do as a public sector union to work together to help stop bullying in schools and in the workplace, we will be there.”
Halifax (20 April 2012) - The Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) is applauding the provincial New Democratic Party (NDP) for introducing a bill to take the first legislative steps towards addressing bullying and cyber bullying in schools.
“As a union we have a double interest in this kind of legislation,” says Joan Jessome, NSGEU President. “We recognize that school bullies often become workplace bullies who affect the lives of our members at work. As well, many of our members are parents whose children experience bullying at schools and are desperate to see this stop.”
Recognizing the impact of bullying in the workplace on members, the NSGEU implemented a Bully-free workplace program in 2010. Since this time, close to 7,000 Nova Scotians, both employers and employees, have participated in the program with close to 300 sessions in workplaces throughout the Maritimes. The Bully-free program has been nationally and internationally acknowledged as being innovative and a leader in addressing workplace bullying.
Anti-bullying legislation is a smart thing to do financially as well. Bullying is a huge cost when it moves from the school yard to the workplace. It costs employers financially because it so profoundly affects productivity and workplace mental health.
“I have heard heart-wrenching stories from our members over and over on the effects of bullying on their children,” Jessome says. “We commend the government of Nova Scotia for this initiative and we would like them to know that if there is anything we can do as a public sector union to work together to help stop bullying in schools and in the workplace, we will be there.”
More information:
NSGEU Bully-free Workplace Program
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE