West Virginia House considers employee self-defense bill
February 20, 2024
Charleston, W.Va. (WOWK) – A bill to protect employees who defend themselves at work advanced in the West Virginia Legislature this week.
House Bill 5621 would make it illegal to fire or punish an employee for fighting back against aggressive customers. Supporters of the bill call it an “employee rights bill.”
Delegate Joey Garcia (D-Marion) said that when an employee is being attacked at work, they shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll be fired if they defend themselves.
“In reality, there are situations, in which if somebody is scared about their life – they feel threatened that they’re going to be attacked or that they are attacked – they shouldn’t have to think about, you know, basically, not being able to protect themselves at the risk of losing their job,” Garcia said.
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Steve Roberts says protecting business owners and employees is of the utmost importance.
The bill moves on to the House floor Wednesday.
Story by Blake DeJarnatt, WOWK