Abusive Conduct

In California law, "abusive conduct" means "conduct of an employer or employee in the workplace, with malice, that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, and unrelated to an employer's legitimate business interests." It is often referred to as "bullying." Abusive conduct can lead to lower productivity and loss of morale for victims and for others at the workplace.

State law 12950.1 uses the following as examples of abusive conduct: "repeated infliction of verbal abuse, such as the use of derogatory remarks, insults, and epithets, verbal or physical conduct that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating, or humiliating, or the gratuitous sabotage or undermining of a person's work performance." The law also states that one single act is not considered abusive conduct "unless especially severe and egregious."

As an employer or supervisor, you should note that this law also states that "prevention of abusive conduct" must be a part of sexual harassment prevention training.

To learn more about Sexual Harassment Prevention Training For Supervisors visit our Cal/OSHA Sexual Harassment Prevention Training For Supervisors Online Training web page.