subject: Boss Allegedly Contributing To Managing Editor's Suicide [print this page] On the last Friday morning in July, Kevin Morrissey took his life with a single gunshot to his head. It was reported that his sister, Maria Morrissey, said his suicide note read, Please tell everyone Im sorry. I know they wouldnt understand, but I simply cant bear it any longer.
I extend my condolences to Maria Morrissey and her family on the death of her brother Kevin Morrissey. Allegedly, after unsuccessfully calling multiple times to the University of Virginia President's office, the Ombudsman and Human Resources to allegedly prevent his supervisor from continuing to fuel a hostile work environment and singling him out for abusive treatment; the 52 year old Morrissey took his own life.
Following her brothers death, it is reported that Maria Morrissey interviewed work colleagues, the police, university administrators and consulted her brothers notes, and determined that Kevin Morrisseys boss Ted Genoways created a hostile and unbearable work environment. The University of Virginia is now investigating but it is too late for Mr. Morrissey.
For every Kevin Morrissey there are millions who suffer in silence because they feel powerless to improve their situations. They suffer from depression and other mental and nervous conditions, they hate coming to work but feel they cant afford to quit, they sometimes internalize the abuse and believe they are not onlyd the cause but deserving of the treatment, or they just take it with hopes that someday things will get better.
These employees need an advocate, someone to intervene on their behalf to help resolve whatever issue they face. Often that is management, human resources, the union or an ombudsperson, but employees also need to; become their own advocates, increase their personal empowerment and refuse to become a victim!
Most people have difficulty increasing their personal empowerment for a number of reasons which include:
1.They do not realize they exhibit a certain type of behavior
2.They realize they exhibit the behavior, but they are not motivated to change
3.They are motivated to change their behavior, but they do not know how to change
4.They are motivated to change and know how to change, but they do not set themselves up for a successful behavioral change
5.They do not believe they can change their behavior
6.They cannot see the benefits from making a behavioral change
If we remove the roadblocks to learning and behaving differently that we often create ourselves and are committed to making behavioral changes, we take more control of our life!
That should be part of the work of management and HR but if your organization does not provide the support you need, seek out other sources. It was reported that Maria Morrissey found a book, covered in notes on her deceased brothers desk, the title was; Working with the Self Absorbed: How to Handle Narcissistic Personalities on the Job. Mr. Morrissey sought out other sources of help; unfortunately it was too late for him.
If you find yourself, a friend or a colleague in this unfortunately situation, take action! Dont let it be too late for you or them.
