10.2190/WR.14.2.b P52W1R8388W1R5GM 2 What Legal Protections Do Victims of Bullies in the Workplace Have? 143 156 20100719 20100719 20100719 20100719 P52W1R8388W1R5GM.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=P52W1R8388W1R5GM 2 William Marty Martin Yvette P. Lopez Helen N. LaVan DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois Workplace bullying has evolved into an insidious, pervasive workplace issue. However, very few investigations have utilized comprehensive research methods to gain an understanding of how victims of bullying fare when pursuing their rights in courts. The plaintiffs are not suing for bullying; they are suing because the bullying violated some other law, such as an antidiscrimination law or some form of constitutional protection. Using policy capturing of litigated federal court cases, we find that victims of workplace bullying prevailed in 15.6% (82 out of 524) of the cases. The most frequently identified reasons for filing a cause of action were retaliation, harassment, discrimination, civil rights, constitutional amendments, state laws, and unlawful termination. The plaintiff success rate is an above-average rate because other studies have found even lower success rates for plaintiffs suing under similar laws for reasons unrelated to bullying. The present study provides guidance for victims of workplace bullies and their attorneys who are considering pursuing their rights upon being bullied in the workplace.

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