The Workplace Psychological Safety Act (WPSA) has been introduced in Rhode Island to address severe workplace psychological abuse, including bullying, intimidation, retaliation, and mobbing. Current U.S. law largely protects workers only when abuse is tied to a protected class such as race or sex, leaving many employees without meaningful legal recourse.

The WPSA is grounded in decades of scientific research and follows principles already established in sexual harassment law. It recognizes that employers control the work environment and should be responsible for preventing toxic conditions before serious harm occurs. The bill would require employers to adopt policies, training, and prevention measures to address workplace psychological abuse and provide workers with a pathway for accountability when employers fail to act.

Workplace psychological abuse can cause devastating mental, physical, and economic harm. Employees who report abuse are often ignored, retaliated against, pushed out, or terminated. Many ultimately leave their jobs, suffer long-term health consequences, or experience severe emotional distress without legal protections.

The costs are also significant for employers and taxpayers. Toxic workplaces contribute to turnover, absenteeism, burnout, reduced productivity, healthcare costs, and reputational damage. Research shows workplace stress costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

The WPSA is designed to incentivize prevention and healthier workplace cultures—not create excessive litigation. Like workplace safety laws before it, the goal is accountability, deterrence, and safer working environments for everyone.

Workers deserve psychologically safe workplaces. Please move the Workplace Psychological Safety Act forward.