Versión Español
EspañolGovernor of Puerto Rico Alejandro García Padilla has vetoed legislation proposed by the island’s Senate that would have prohibited workplace harassment and “bullying.” García Padilla did not list his reasons for vetoing the bill, but instead cited reasons why the Puerto Rico Departments of Justice and Labor and Human Resources disagreed with the proposed law.
The Department of Justice considers the definition of “workplace harassment” too vague, and believes implementation of this law would lead to “inconsistencies.” Furthermore, according to the governor, the Department of Labor and Human Resources noticed that “the bill excluded private-sector employees from reinstatement and back pay remedies.”
Governor García Padilla indicated that people who are victims of workplace harassment or bullying can already seek remedy through the Puerto Rico Constitution, collective bargaining agreements, and the Puerto Rico Civil Code.
Despite the veto, supporters of the bill say they will continue lobbying for its approval.
Source: The National Law Review.
