The former state-owned company France Telecom, now called Orange, was shaken by a number of employee suicides about ten years ago. In two years, 19 people took their lives - and 12 tried.

The employees were harassed, which led to several notable suicides and attempted suicide, the court ruled on Friday. A woman jumped out of a window on the fourth floor, in front of her colleagues. Another man caught fire on himself in the parking lot outside the office and a third man stabbed himself in the stomach with a knife during a meeting - in front of the manager and colleagues.

"A type of bullying"

According to Ullakarin Nyberg, who researches on suicide, there is never just one reason why someone takes their life. But a person who stands and weighs between life and death can be inspired by seeing others take their lives.

- This has been seen in schools for example. If a popular person who many admire takes his life, it can have successors. And if you see someone performing a very drastic act, you can be inspired by it.

The vast majority of people are resistant to difficulties in life, but for vulnerable individuals, who easily develop depression in connection with workplace stress, the risk of suicide increases, according to Ullakarin Nyberg.

- If you work in a workplace where the only message is that we hope that you give up voluntarily it will be both an offense and an exclusion from a community. It can be risky, like a type of bullying.

Men more vulnerable

For many people, work is a big part of life, where you have many - in some cases all - their social contacts. Men as a group are more sensitive to suicide.

- Men often have their social relationships at work. Women have many networks, men have fewer contexts where one is important.

Losing one's partner is also a major risk factor for men. If you notice that a colleague is starting to behave differently or pull away, you should not be afraid to ask how the person is feeling, says Ullakarin Nyberg.

- It is never dangerous to ask a person who is feeling bad how it is. And that the boss talks openly about mental illness is hugely important.

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France Telecom's former CEO Didider Lombard (th) arrived today at the Paris court to get his verdict. Photo: TT / AFP