Bill Text: NJ AR284 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges New Jersey businesses to become trauma informed employers.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-05 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee [AR284 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AR284-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE CHAPARRO
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Urges New Jersey businesses to become trauma informed employers.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging New Jersey businesses to become trauma informed employers.
Whereas, Trauma is a prolonged or exaggerated response to a dangerous event, or a series of events, that endures long after the danger has passed; and
Whereas, Examples of traumatic events include child abuse or neglect, accidents, bullying, violence, loss of a loved one, or a natural disaster; and
Whereas, These events produce profound changes to an individual's psyche as the amygdala, the region of the brain tasked with evaluating external threats, becomes over-reactive to perceived dangers; and
Whereas, Individuals coping with trauma are often left feeling helpless, isolated, humiliated, ashamed, guilty, or aggressive; and
Whereas, Trauma impacts Americans regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic circumstances and places a heavy burden on individuals, families, and communities alike; and
Whereas, Those who suffer from trauma, especially those who have experienced it in childhood, are more likely to experience a number of adverse health consequences such as lung, heart, and liver disease as well as depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse; and
Whereas, A business that does not adopt policies and procedures supportive of employee health and wellness may experience increased occupational injuries, poor job performance, absenteeism, decreased employee job satisfaction, and high rates of turnover; and
Whereas, Businesses can help current employees suffering from trauma by making an organizational commitment to understanding trauma, how to respond to trauma, and how trauma affects those working for them by becoming trauma informed employers; and
Whereas, Characteristics of a trauma informed employer include ensuring a safe work environment, promoting self-care, providing sensitivity training, empowering employees, and building mutually respectful and trusting relationships; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges New Jersey businesses to become trauma informed employers.
2. Duly authenticated
copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be
transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor, the New
Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and the New Jersey Business & Industry
Association.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges businesses in New Jersey to become trauma informed employers. Trauma is defined as a prolonged or exaggerated response to a dangerous event, or series of events, such as child abuse or neglect, accidents, bullying, violence, loss of a loved one, or a natural disaster. Victims of trauma often find themselves feeling helpless, isolated, humiliated, ashamed, guilty, or aggressive as a result of these events. In addition, they are also more likely to experience a number of adverse health consequences such as lung, heart, and liver disease, depression, alcoholism, or drug abuse. Nationwide, 61 percent of men and 51 percent of women report experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes.
In light of this widespread problem, businesses can assist employees in their recovery by becoming trauma informed employers. Trauma informed employers make an organizational commitment to understanding trauma, how to respond to trauma, and how trauma affects those working for them. Some ways in which an employer can show its commitment to being trauma informed is by ensuring a safe work environment, promoting self-care, providing sensitivity training, empowering employees, and building mutually respectful and trusting relationships.
Aside from benefitting the employee, trauma informed approaches can help businesses as well. Employers that do not embrace a trauma informed philosophy may experience increased occupational injuries, poor job performance, absenteeism, decreased job satisfaction, and high rates of turnover. By urging New Jersey businesses to adopt trauma informed approaches, this House recognizes the importance of employee health and wellness to both workers and businesses alike.
