I lifted that title from a presentation at the recent Davis LLP employment law update, because I don't think I need to improve on it. The question seems simple, but I'm certain that it has got many employers and human resources departments wishing the handy devices had never been invented! (Okay, maybe not that confused.)
Can employers prevent workplace suicide?
I was recently reading an issue of SafetyNewsAlert, which indicated that there were over 20 attempted suicides over one year in a single Chinese technology factory—one that manufactures products for Apple, including the iPad, among other things. Out of the 20 attempts, 9 suicides were successful within a period of five months. According to the article, questions are being raised about the sustainability of China’s manufacturing model, which relies on long hours from its workers. Typical workweeks include seven days of twelve hours.
The case of ‘hazing’ and ‘horseplay’ in the workplace continued
In my previous post on hazing and horseplay in the workplace, I referred to a recent incident where photos and videos revealed some very questionable events involving management and employees of the City of Mississauga. Since the acts were potentially criminal, the police became involved and started an investigation. Although some have said that the employees consented to the horseplay and hazing, one may wonder if that was really the case.