Lessons from the tragic death of Brodie Panlock

摘要

The suicide of cafe worker Brodie Panlock, which followed a year of workplace bullying, is a pointed reminder to employers of their obligation to protect the mental health of their workers.rnFollowing Panlock's death in 2006, her employer and three others involved in the bullying received criminal convictions, with fines and costs totalling $337,000 in February this year. Adverse publicity subsequently led to the owners reportedly closing the cafe.rnThis tragic death exemplifies the heavy toll bullying takes on workplaces: it has the capacity to threaten the viability of businesses, the mental wellbeing of all employees, and even the lives of its victims.