By: Sam T. Jensen — [email protected]
Humboldt, IA — The Humboldt School Board is expected to add a workplace bullying policy for the school district.
The announcement came after comments made during the board meeting Monday night. Board President Tate Satern proposed a policy that would address workplace bullying within the district.
Satern said in the meeting that the policy has been in place for some time at the Sioux City School District and the policy has been approved by the Iowa Association of School Boards.
Satern’s prepared statement included in part that while student bullying is a widely known issue, “few districts have addressed workplace or teacher bullying,” which “occurs in virtually every workplace.”
Satern said survey results from the Workplace Bullying Institute show that roughly 37% of U.S. workers are being bullied, which Satern says “creates a climate of fear and loathing.”
“When the target is an educator,” said Satern, “it is a great injustice because it deprives students of a caring adult who is crucial to their education,” adding “teacher abuse is student abuse.”
Satern said the policy will not replace any current anti-harassment or anti-bullying policies but will pave the way for “all district employees and students to thrive in a culture free from the devastating effects of bullying.”
The board will approve the first reading of the new workplace bullying policy at their January meeting and final approval will take place in February.