Introduction
Nearly half of individuals experience workplace harassment or mobbing during their professional lives. The HEB supermarket case in Torreón, Coahuila, highlights the ongoing challenges organizations face in creating violence-free work environments.
The HEB Torreón Case: A Tragic Example of Normalized Workplace Violence
Workplace violence extends beyond verbal abuse and physical assaults; it becomes normalized, and in extreme cases, leads to the victim’s death. Experts draw such conclusions from the HEB Torreón case, where a cleaning worker lost his life due to a supposed “joke” by his colleagues.
Carlos Gurrola, known as “Papayita,” died after consuming a drink allegedly contaminated with degreaser. His family claims it was another “prank” by his coworkers.
Expert Insights on Workplace Violence
Yunue Cárdenas, CEO and founder of Menthalising, emphasizes the severity of workplace violence: “It’s brutal and is often perceived as a lack of character in organizations. We need to break this cycle, as we come from generations entrenched in violence. Mitigation is crucial due to the high recidivism rate, and there must be a clear message of protection rather than punishment. What hope do those in similar situations have?”
According to the Riesgos psicosociales en empresas mexicanas study by Mercer Marsh Beneficios, 10% of people experience high and very high levels of workplace violence. This psychosocial risk factor is more common among baby boomer workers.
“From international psychosocial assessments, Mexico’s NOM-035 is one of the few that considers workplace violence as a psychosocial risk. It addresses ‘degrading treatment’ specifically, which has less structure, and the NOM-035 responds to this aspect. Assessing these behaviors is not a frivolous act by consultants or psychologists; it helps identify violent behaviors,” explains Yunue Cárdenas.
The Dangers of Ignoring Workplace Violence
Experts agree that the HEB Torreón case demonstrates how organizational inaction regarding workplace violence can lead to the victim’s death. There are even precedents of suicide among those who experienced mobbing.
Beyond brand reputation or legal implications, the lives of people are at risk when no actions are taken to stop workplace bullying.
The Need for Open Dialogue on Workplace Violence
Experts stress the importance of companies creating spaces for open conversations about workplace violence, as there’s still resistance to these discussions due to the false belief that “if it’s not mentioned, it doesn’t happen.”
“It remains a taboo subject. However, making it visible is what truly opens the doors to prevention, denunciation, and encourages internal dialogue,” says Ivonne Borden.
From Yunue Cárdenas’ perspective, the lack of such conversations generates a perception that the problem doesn’t exist or isn’t an organizational concern. “If you don’t take part, you become complicit,” she asserts.
Additionally, experts agree that effective channels of denunciation are necessary; that is, following up on complaints shared by individuals.
The HEB case reflects that Mexico still has a long way to go in building favorable work environments.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is workplace violence? Workplace violence includes verbal abuse, physical assaults, and other forms of mistreatment that create a hostile work environment.
- Why is the HEB Torreón case significant? This case highlights the tragic consequences of normalizing workplace violence and the importance of organizational action to prevent such incidents.
- What are psychosocial risks in the workplace? Psychosocial risks refer to factors related to organizational and interpersonal aspects of work that affect employees’ mental and physical well-being.
- How can organizations address workplace violence? Companies should create open dialogue, implement effective denunciation channels, and take proactive measures to prevent workplace violence.
