Billions of years ago, the universe was composed of a subatomic speck that exploded and created everything we know, and more. The Big Bang!

Get ready for a new Big Bang — this blog — which today begins and will explode into everything we know about employment discrimination — and more!

You are witness to the birth of a new, alternative universe that is being created through the unimaginable and boundless energy of your faithful bloggers, who will create this blog at the speed of light, and, hopefully, educate and entertain you about what we think is one of the most fascinating subjects in the universe — the workplace! For example:

Did you know that the New York legislature is contemplating a law that would create a private right of action by an employee for workplace bullying? (New York Senate bill S1823B). As far as we know, this may be the first time in New York, outside of the anti-discrimination civil rights laws, that an employee will be able to sue an employer for psychological, physical or economic harm arising from abusive conduct in the workplace. The pending bill is similar to the civil rights sexual harassment laws in that it would prohibit even a single act of severe or egregious abuse, and make an employer liable if it is notified of the abuse and fails to eliminate it.

A prevailing employee might similarly be entitled to, among other things, lost wages, emotional distress and punitive damages, as well as attorneys fees.

Employers — beware! You may soon have to add verbal abuse and bullying to the checklist of behaviors that you must police.