There are legal and ethical issues regarding bullying in the nursing profession. The ethical issues that are most concerning are; non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. Non-maleficence is defined as “do no harm.” 9 This means that health care workers should not participate in activities that could cause harm to another person. When people are bullying they are involved in actions that can; embarrass, frighten, terrorize and disgrace another person. Nurses who bully other nurses or health care workers are breaking the ethics of non-maleficence, because the nurses are causing harm to another colleague. Another ethical issue is beneficence. Beneficence is defined as “to prevent and remove existing evil or harm and to promote good.” 9 Once
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“Both perpetrators and employers who do not address the issue are subject to legal consequences.” 9 Presently there are no regulations in the United States precisely aiming at bullying in the work setting. But in “May 2011, 16 bills addressing this issues were active in 11 states.” 9 Victims of bullying do have some legal solution. “At the federal level, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) created the general duty clause, authorizing employers to provide to each of his employee’s employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” 9 This is good information for a new nurse or any health care workers to know that they are protected in some way. An example of a state which has their own program for safety is in Washington state. “the Washington State and Health Act (WISHA) make sure the workers have a safe and healthy workplace.” 9 As soon the employer is aware that there is harm or danger such as bullying incidents, the employer is authorized to eradicate the threat and give the work setting a safe place to work. If the employer violates this, “fines of up to $70,000 per incident.” 9 As the employer, I would not want to violate this and I would create a safe place for my nurses or any health care workers to work
“Both perpetrators and employers who do not address the issue are subject to legal consequences.” 9 Presently there are no regulations in the United States precisely aiming at bullying in the work setting. But in “May 2011, 16 bills addressing this issues were active in 11 states.” 9 Victims of bullying do have some legal solution. “At the federal level, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) created the general duty clause, authorizing employers to provide to each of his employee’s employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” 9 This is good information for a new nurse or any health care workers to know that they are protected in some way. An example of a state which has their own program for safety is in Washington state. “the Washington State and Health Act (WISHA) make sure the workers have a safe and healthy workplace.” 9 As soon the employer is aware that there is harm or danger such as bullying incidents, the employer is authorized to eradicate the threat and give the work setting a safe place to work. If the employer violates this, “fines of up to $70,000 per incident.” 9 As the employer, I would not want to violate this and I would create a safe place for my nurses or any health care workers to work