In the early hours of Saturday morning, as thousands across the country rose from their beds to participate in Darkness Into Light, an event aimed at raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, a family was engulfed in a wave of inconsolable grief. The reason behind their devastation was not just the loss of a beloved member but the tragic circumstances that led to it. A man, had succumbed to the relentless agony of workplace bullying, leaving behind a shattered family grappling with the irreparable void he left behind.
He is more than a statistic, he was a son, a partner, a father, a brother, and a cherished friend and neighbour to many. His departure from this world was not just a loss but an ugly reminder of the deep-rooted issues plaguing modern workplaces. As condolences poured in, each message painted a picture of a man whose warmth and generosity touched the lives of all who knew him. His infectious smile, his unwavering kindness, and his ability to uplift others with a simple word were qualities fondly remembered by those he left behind.
Yet, amidst the outpouring of grief and fond memories, there lingered a haunting question, how did it to come to this? In an era where awareness of mental health issues is on the rise, how could workplace bullying still thrive so blatantly? The victim had made his distress known. His colleagues were aware of his anguish and the torment he endured. The tragedy of his death was compounded by the knowledge that it could have been prevented, had his cries for help been taken seriously.
The consequences of his passing extend far beyond his immediate family. An elderly mother, consumed by grief, faced into the unbearable task of burying her own child. There is the generational trauma, the ripple effect of loss and anguish that will echo through the lives of his family and those left behind.
But who will be held accountable for this tragedy? In a society that often turns a blind eye to workplace bullying, where fear of repercussion silences bystanders and victims alike, justice remains elusive. The perpetrators of this torment, shielded by a culture of silence and impunity, continue to inflict pain unchecked. We have normalised bullying and are too accepting of toxic behaviour. While workplace accidents are met with prosecution, the invisible scars of psychological abuse are often overlooked. In Dr Jen Fraser’s book The Bullied Brain you can read how devastating bullying is to the brain, backed up by twelve years of research, working with the top neuroscientists in the world.
It begs the question, what will it take for the government to acknowledge the devastating toll of workplace bullying? How many lives must be lost before action is taken to criminalise such behaviour and hold perpetrators accountable? The brain, the very organ that drives productivity and innovation in the workplace, cannot be neglected when it comes to matters of mental health and well-being. The one organ that keeps everything going in the workplace. It commands task-evoked responses, movement, senses, emotions, language, communication, thinking, and memory.
Perhaps it’s time to take a page from the playbook of domestic abuse legislation. Just as coercive control laws aim to protect victims in the home, similar measures must be implemented to safeguard individuals in the workplace. The time for complacency is over, it’s time to enact meaningful change that ensures no one else has to endure the torment that drove this man to his untimely end.
I feel for the bystanders afraid for their jobs, but a man is dead and his family forever devastated. Work colleagues will be feeling desperately sad and at a loss. We have companies prosecuted for workplace accidents, but only if it’s visible, the brain, and the psychological harm inflicted on it, doesn’t seem to warrant any importance when it comes to being bullied.
What will it take? What will it take for the government to prioritise criminalising workplace bullying to stop these tragic losses and serve as a deterrent, ensuring that no individual ever feels driven to take their own life? Together, we can enact change to spare families the enduring pain of losing a loved one to suicide, stemming from the torment inflicted by workplace bullies. We need more people to speak out and speak up, report it and help those being bullied. Bullying is everyone’s business. Standing up against bullying is critical. It’s not just the responsibility of the victim, it’s a collective duty for everyone. Normalising or ignoring it only perpetuates the cycle of harm. Each of us plays a role in creating a safe and inclusive environment where bullying is not tolerated. Taking action could indeed make a significant difference and potentially save a life.
As we mourn the loss of yet another life to the scourge of workplace bullying, let us not forget the urgency of this moment. Let us honour all those that have gone not just with words of condolence but with a commitment to action. It’s time to demand accountability, to demand justice, and to ensure that no more lives are lost in the silent battle against workplace cruelty. The time for change is now.
If you are being bullied, please know you are not alone, reach out to someone, or the following services listed below.
If you are witnessing bullying in the workplace, you too, can also contact the following services to raise your concerns.
Speak up now – you may just save a life.
Health & Safety Authority – click HERE or call 0818 289 389 (between 9:00am and 3:00pm, Monday to Friday)
Workplace Relations Commission – click HERE or call 0818 80 80 90 / T: 059 9178990 (09.30 – 13.00, 14.00 – 17.00)
The Samaritans – click HERE or call 116 123 (24 hours)
Pieta House – click HERE or call 1800 247 247 Text HELP to 51444
