Deaths of Despair –
January 9, 2020 – 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 notbecause he spoke out about the suicide and work conditions.
“We’re talking about really difficult, complicated situations,” said Larry Barton, who was not involved in the incident but serves as a threat and risk consultant for several Fortune 500 companies. “I’m getting two to three calls per week now from companies dealing with someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. The upside of it is you’re seeing employees and companies getting to the point where they are willing to discuss the problem of suicide at work.”
