An Italian restaurant manager in Grosbous organised an information session on workplace harassment on Tuesday in collaboration with local non-profit organisation Mobbing. Last year, Athénaïs Altamuro received financial support through a fundraising appeal and wanted to give something back, particularly as she had personally experienced the impact that hurtful remarks can have.
Altamuro not only received support but was also targeted on social media. She said she had at times wondered how people with less resilience or weaker support networks might cope in a similar situation. This led her to partner with Mobbing ASBL, an organisation dedicated to workplace bullying, and invite them to Grosbous.
Speaking to RTL, clinical psychologist and the organisation’s director Luis Viçoso outlined the effects of workplace bullying, explaining that it can have serious consequences for both personal life and health. He said those affected often struggle with sleep and eating, experience anxiety, and face difficulties in their relationships or family life. In some cases, individuals may develop unhealthy habits involving substances such as alcohol, coffee or drugs, and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Overall, he noted that workplace harassment can have a strongly depressive effect on those affected.
Mobbing ASBL opened 61 cases last year. 19 people who required psychological support completed a scientific questionnaire, which showed that nearly one in two had experienced suicidal thoughts. In a third of cases, these thoughts were linked to a concrete plan. Workplace bullying most often begins with a conflict, explains Luis Viçoso. This can then escalate into sustained harassment. For a situation to be classified as workplace bullying, four criteria must be met: the behaviour must be personal, repeated systematically, increase in severity, and persist over time. However, even when not all of these criteria are met, the psychological distress caused remains just as difficult for those affected to cope with, the clinical psychologist underlined.
In Thomas Sollinger’s case, all four criteria were met. The lawyer has extensive experience, having previously worked in Eastern Europe and the UK before moving to Luxembourg, where he took up a role in the financial sector. There, he found himself working under a manager whom he describes as unable to handle strong personalities or experienced staff. According to Sollinger, his predecessor had also been driven out due to workplace bullying.
Reflecting on the situation, Sollinger said there are generally two possible outcomes in such cases: either a person loses confidence and becomes withdrawn, or they are able to recognise that they are not at fault. In his case, he said he was able to assess the situation clearly, concluding that the issue lay with his manager rather than himself. While acknowledging that he had been targeted, he stressed that he does not see himself as a victim and has since moved on to a new job.
However, before finding a new opportunity, Sollinger was made redundant. As he was still on probation, he had to leave his position, despite the staff committee confirming that the case involved psychological harassment.
Luis Viçoso strongly advises anyone who suspects that they are a victim of workplace harassment to document each incident carefully. He recommends keeping a detailed record of each occurrence, including when it happened, whether it took place in public, and what was said.
Such documentation can be crucial when seeking help. The clinical psychologist and director also emphasises that those affected should not hesitate to ask for support or try to endure the situation alone. Viçoso also firmly urges people to never lose hope and that there is life after such experiences.
Anyone in need of help can contact Luis Viçoso and his team. Further information, including contact details, is available on the website mobbingasbl.lu.
