Japan Swatch executive suffers mental illness after bullying by boss who called her ‘stupid’
- The woman developed an adjustment disorder after being relentlessly scolded by the company’s president, and officials have recognised the case as an industrial accident
- A labour union called for the boss’ resignation, saying she is unfit for her position
Labour authorities have recognised that the mental illness suffered by an executive of the Japanese leg of Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group Ltd. was caused by bullying at the hands of the branch’s president, constituting an industrial accident, the employee’s union said on Wednesday.
The woman was allegedly frequently reprimanded with insults by the president, such as being told she was stupid, and accused of low performance, leading to her developing an adjustment disorder.
The executive took audio recordings of the alleged abuse and presented them to the Japan branch, requesting an apology. But she was ignored by the firm, the General Support Union said.
Speaking to Kyodo News, the branch recognised the labour authorities’ certification of the executive’s condition as an industrial accident, but said they had not specifically labelled the president’s actions as power harassment.
