House Bill 1591 prevents work harassment

OLYMPIA - Employers may soon be able to file anti-harassment protection orders against someone harassing the owner, an employee or the work environment in general.

House Bill 1591 is aimed at giving employers an opportunity to stop or prevent harassment around work.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake.

Warnick owns a collection agency in Moses Lake.

Her business has 15 employees, 14 of whom are female.

She said she decided to sponsor the bill after she walked into a domestic violence incident during work hours in the summer.

"It happened in the parking lot. I happened to walk into the middle of a physical violence incident going on. I went into my mother-bear mode. It was a very emotional time for everyone. The police were called," she said.

Warnick said current state law only allows victims or parents or guardians of victims under 18 years old file an anti-harassment order.

"As an employer, it's my job to keep our workplace safe for myself and our 15 employees. I want to be able to step in and do something, without putting anyone at further risk," she stated. "I didn't realized that as an employer, I couldn't file a petition to protect my employees."

House Bill 1591 would allow an employer the ability to file an anti-harassment protection order on behalf of a harassment victim.

Under the bill, employers must receive written permission from the person who is the target of harassment, sexual assault or stalking before filing for the order, according to the bill.

Employers are prohibited from retaliating or discriminating against an employee for being a target of harassment or for not agreeing to have their employer file an anti-harassment order, according to the bill.

House Bill 1591 has an executive session on Thursday in the House Judiciary Committee.