Two telecom company employees say workplace bullying pushed them to the verge of mental breakdown

Hong Kong Broadband Network is a leading telecommunications company in Hong Kong. Photo: HKBN website
Hong Kong Broadband Network is a leading telecommunications company in Hong Kong. Photo: HKBN website

Two employees at Hong Kong’s leading telecommunications company said they were the victims of severe workplace bullying, and suffered emotionally and mentally under their superiors.

The Hong Kong Information Technology Workers’ Union (HKITWU) said in a press conference Tuesday that it received complaints from two employees at Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN). 

Both of the victims experienced mental and emotional breakdowns, which caused traumatically impacted their personal and and work lives.

One of the victims, surnamed Kwok, said she was publicly humiliated, forced to dye her hair black, and had her qualifications and work capabilities doubted by her supervisor.

Suffering from mental episodes and hallucinations, Kwok was unable to live and work normally, local media reported.

Kwok has been on injury compensation leave since last December. 

The company confirmed the report to Coconuts and claimed that a thorough investigation was conducted upon receiving the complaint and that the individuals involved were subject to disciplinary action. 

Read more: Number of bullying cases in Hong Kong schools up by 62 percent: authorities

An ex-employee of the telecommunication company surnamed Choi said that he was laid off on January 4 this year after expressing dissatisfaction about his workload, salary adjustment, and bonuses. He was diagnosed with anxiety and depression afterwards.

Choi said the company once owed him HK$60,000 (US$7732) in commission.

Hong Kong Broadband Network, however, maintains that they are not in the wrong.

“Our decision to terminate Mr. C’s employment was made out of consideration that, on numerous occasions, he continued to send abusive and provocative messages to different colleagues during our handling process,” HKBN wrote in a response to Coconuts, adding that Choi’s accusations are “unfounded and untrue.” 

HKBN said it has formally issued legal letters to Choi, banning him from making defamatory statements.

The workers’ union criticized the company for failing to take sufficient actions to solve workplace conflicts and demanded an explanation for the layoff and mishandling of the complaints.



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