From pain to advocacy: Mom and daughter fight to combat workplace abuse

WASHINGTON — Nearly 48 million people in the U.S. report being bullied at work, according to a national workplace survey. How can this behavior be stopped? In Washington, D.C., a mother and daughter are working to introduce legislation aimed at preventing workplace bullying.

Kim Williams remembers her former boss's behavior vividly. 

“It was screaming right to my face. When I walked into meetings, it felt like I was walking into a buzzsaw,” she said.

As a human resources professional, Williams addressed abuse at every organizational level. 

“If any employee came to me with a problem, I would immediately speak to someone and say we need to correct this,” she said. 

However, she found herself unable to open an investigation into her own situation.

“I was terrified every day of losing my job as a single parent. I thought about whether this was going to ruin my career,” she said.

The impact of bullying extended beyond work. Her daughter, Cassi, also felt the effects. 

“She wouldn't talk. We barely talked after that happened, and it was such a shock because we were so close,” Cassi said.

Cassi struggled in school and eventually switched to homeschooling, while Williams left the company.

“It leaves a scar, and it just shouldn't be happening,” Williams said.

Now, Williams and Cassi are committed to ending psychological abuse in workplaces. 

“It does make you an evangelical once you go through this,” Williams noted.

Williams is the spokesperson for End Workplace Abuse, a group of advocates pushing for the Workplace Psychological Safety Act in D.C. and nationwide.

“The problem with protected characteristics in 2024 is that many people may not openly say, ‘I’m targeting you because you’re a woman, or because of your faith or race.’ They’re equal opportunity and terrible to everyone,” she explained.

This legislation would empower employees to fight against abuse that isn’t solely based on race, religion, or gender.

“Given the age of civil rights protections, we’re left in a space where you have to read minds or prove abuse, to get any help, which leaves 48 million people abandoned,” Williams said.

She emphasized the importance of documentation. For example, if you’re not invited to a meeting, note the date, time, and who held the meeting.

We have reached out to council members for their thoughts on this issue.  So far, DC Councilmember Robert White's office responded and said, "Councilmember White is committed to psychological safety for our employees.  It would be great to see psychological safety championed across government, but we haven't had a chance to dig into this bill and its mechanics deeply."