WASHINGTON (March 1, 2013)--Workplace bullying can take many forms and a growing number of companies consider it to be a problem that can sap morale and lead to increased employee turnover.

In fact, it could become the next major battleground in employment law as a growing number of states consider legislation that would let workers sue for on-the-job harassment that causes physical or emotional harm.

More than a dozen states including New York and Massachusetts have considered anti-bullying laws in the past year, but business groups strongly oppose the measures, arguing they would open the floodgates to frivolous lawsuits.

A recent survey found that 56 percent of companies have some kind of anti-bullying policy.