Workplace bullying can have tragic consequences as the owner and staff of one Australian café now know. They have been fined $A335,000 ($US295,000) after one of their colleagues committed suicide in 2006.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard how three workers of Café Vamp teased and humiliated waitress Brodie Rae Constance Panlock, 19, throughout her 16-month stint. They referred to her as “fat” and “ugly” and also played malicious pranks – such as pouring fish oil over her hair and clothes. The defendants also chided Panlock over a previous suicide attempt.
Marc Da Cruz, the café owner, was aware of the bullying but did nothing to stop or temper it. On some occasions he simply asked the defendants to “take it out the back”.
Magistrate Peter Lauritsen described their actions as “the most serious case of bullying”. He said he would have doubled the penalties if the four had not pleaded guilty.
Victims’ rights advocates, including Panlock’s family, are now urging authorities to change the law. They say the four men should have faced a jail sentence.