Bullying and harassment in workplaces are killing people

Some individuals do not seem to understand the gravity of this issue.

They say things like, “I’ve never experienced bullying or harassment at work”, or “Younger people should toughen up. It was harder back in my day”, or even worse, “No one takes their own life because of workplace bullying and harassment”.

So, today, I want to show undeniable evidence to all those hard-headed people who trivialise this problem and preach about developing a thicker skin and being more resilient.

A story of quiet suffering

Jessica Wilby worked as an in-house lawyer at the Coroners Court of Victoria and had dreams of becoming a coroner herself. Tragically, in 2018, at the age of 45, she took her own life. Why? Her workplace harboured a toxic culture characterised by overwork, unclear roles and responsibilities, bullying, and vicarious trauma. Jessica left behind a heartbreaking note that read: “[An acting CEO] ruined me”. Yes, you read that correctly – the very institution responsible for investigating deaths became the architect of one.

You see, back in 2015, alarm bells started ringing within the Coroners Court of Victoria. These were not physical alarms hanging on the wall but rather warning signs of a poisonous culture. Evidence of this toxic environment was everywhere: a damning 2015 staff survey, a deluge of internal emails, leaves of absence due to fear and stress, 92 allegations against then-coroner Sara Hinchey, all of which were dismissed, and a colleague’s grim prediction of a suicide due to unbearable working conditions that tragically came true when Jessica lost her battle in 2018.

To impartially investigate Jessica’s death, NSW coroner Ian Guy was called in. In his findings, he unsurprisingly described the court’s culture in 2017 and 2018 as “toxic”, among other things.

On 14 September, Court Services Australia – the overseeing body of the Coroners Court of Victoria – faced the consequences in Melbourne Magistrates Court. They pleaded guilty to knowingly turning a blind eye to the cesspool of psychological risks their employees faced from December 2015 to September 2018. These horrors included inappropriate workplace behaviour, overwhelming workloads, bullying, favouritism, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, and intimidation. Senior counsel Patrick Doyle acknowledged the damage caused by the agency, stating it had done more harm than it had been charged with.

In that sombre courtroom, Jessica’s family stood before the court, sharing their anguish as they witnessed Jessica’s decline due to work-related issues.

The startling truth

The lessons from Jessica’s story are crystal clear. First, the agency’s guilty plea falls short. Imagine being a family member forced to lay your loved one to rest because some heartless cog in the workplace machine pushed them to the brink. It’s downright unforgivable. And what’s even more outrageous? The maximum penalty for this heinous offence is a lousy fine of approximately $380,000. This fine cannot bring Jessica back or make up for her lost future.

Second, what unfolded at the Coroners Court of Australia should serve as a wake-up call to all workplaces, not just the legal community. It demonstrates that bullying and harassment are real issues and downplaying them because they have not happened to you is ridiculous. (That’s akin to saying when someone has a heart attack, it could have been worse – you could have had cancer.) As a collective, we must recognise that we have allowed a culture that enables bullying, harassment, and mental health neglect to thrive for far too long.

Third, it is a glaring indictment of how our workplaces have historically mishandled bullying, harassment, mental health, and psychological safety.

But, most importantly, it exposes the disturbing culture of silence that has shrouded many workplaces for years. Victims of workplace bullying, harassment and mental health challenges have been silenced, often strong-armed into signing non-disclosure agreements and paid off, fearing damage to their reputations.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – enough is enough. People are dying because of this rubbish. Lives have been lost, dreams crushed, and families torn apart. Some of us have had to intervene to prevent colleagues from taking drastic actions.

We must acknowledge our own role in perpetuating this cycle of neglect. It’s not time for half-assed gestures; it’s time for a complete overhaul of our culture and values. We must prioritise the wellbeing of our colleagues over profit and recognise that our core strength lies in our shared humanity, empathy, and compassion.

Leaders of companies, agencies and everywhere in between, the responsibility is yours. Take proactive steps to create a safe and nurturing environment for all members. Enforce anti-bullying policies. Fortify mental health resources. Establish robust support networks for people facing challenges and battling their demons. Punishments should match the suffering of victims, sending a clear message to workers that we will not tolerate these harmful behaviours any longer.

Honouring Jessica Wilby’s memory

The Coroners Court of Victoria’s disregard for Jessica’s mental health and wellbeing is a symptom of a deeper sickness in our working world. We cannot continue to ignore it. We must honour the memory of Jessica and everyone else who has suffered through workplace bullying and harassment.

We need a working world that supports, empathises, and holds itself accountable. We need to break the silence and usher in a new era of compassion and understanding. The lives and wellbeing of our colleagues depend on it.

As we confront this painful chapter in our history, we must remember that recognising bullying and harassment in workplaces is not enough. We must become agents of change, united in unwavering commitment. Only by embracing our shared humanity can we prevent further suffering and build a working world embodying justice and compassion.

Lives are at stake. Let’s stop burying our own and use Jessica’s death as a force for good.

Stefanie Costi is a lawyer with a focus on workplace bullying.

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.