More Americans are killing themselves at work

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/01/09/more-americans-are-killing-themselves-work/



America’s climbing suicide rate has become a problem for businesses, too.

Buried in a report last month by the Bureau of Labor of Statistics on occupational fatalities was this tragic fact: More people are killing themselves in the workplace than ever before. The number of such suicides for 2018 was 304 -- an 11 percent increase from the year before and the highest number since the bureau began tracking the data 26 years ago.

Companies are struggling with how to respond.

“Ten years ago, most companies saw suicide as a personal or medical issue, and would say it has nothing to do with work,” said Sally Spencer-Thomas, a psychologist and board president of United Suicide Survivors International, a prevention advocacy group. “I was banging my head against the wall trying to convince companies to talk to me. Compared to now, when I’m getting calls from major global conglomerates seeking me out, looking for answers and strategy. There’s almost too much to do.”

In the wake of such trauma, executives often grapple with what to do: How to counsel and support coworkers and those who witnessed the death? What to say publicly and how much to disclose internally?

Last year, after a Facebook employee jumped from the fourth floor of a company building in Menlo Park, Calif., his death sparked accusations of harsh work environments for some of the company’s foreign employees. The controversy intensified after a Chinese coworker of the deceased joined in the criticism and was fired by Facebook shortly after. Facebook representatives later confirmed the Chinese employee was dismissed but said it was not because he spoke out about the suicide and work conditions.

Economic anxiety?

[lunatica]

1. In response to your question about economy anxiety

I would say it goes much deeper than that. People who commit suicide do so as an escape from utter depression caused by the feeling that there is no other way out. Many modern style workplaces where your future is a never ending dehumanizing process where things keep going from bad to worse make people feel trapped with no way to escape except death.

It’s heartbreaking because it is preventable. But try saying that to the CEOs of the biggest corporations. And the answer isn’t to stop doing business with them because that just hurts the employees, not the managers and the heads of the businesses.

The answer is to start by passing legislation to do away with dehumanizing treatment of employees and to force companies to treat their employees well. Not just decently, but well. Managers need to be monitored regularly for signs of preferential treatment of their employees as well as abusive treatment. I’ve seen obvious behavior of this just in the basis of whether the manager likes or dislikes a person. It’s sickening. It causes unimaginable stress in employees and not just in the ones targeted with such treatment.

[Rainbow Droid]

2. +1 to this entire post, and the sad fact is that a much higher number of suicides per year are going

to be passed off as "the cost of doing business" and it is going to take an untold number of horrific tragedies to 'move the needle' and get legislation passed to stop the madness. The end is not in sight. Relief isn't even in sight. It's going to get MUCH, MUCH, MUCH WORSE, before it gets better.

[MarcA]

3. Monolithic Job Culture is ultimately fatal. n/t

[moondust]

4. Gig workers?

Gig economy workers: Independent contractors or indentured servants?