An employee of the Los Angeles Health Department reportedly jumped off an 18-story Wilshire Building in Koreatown, Red State reported Tuesday.
Heather Hughes allegedly took her life and jumped to her death after she was reportedly bullied in her workplace. Hughes, an Environmental Health Specialist in her 40s, made the decision to end her life by leaping from the eighteenth floor of a building Feb. 8, Red State reported. Before her demise, Hughes left a note in her car, expressing the unbearable pressure of alleged bullying, harassment and denial of mental health support from her colleagues. (RELATED:Education Minister Launching Investigation Into Bullying Allegations That Cost Former Principal His Life)
This note also highlighted the refusal of her medical leave request, despite her doctor’s recommendation. Hughes chose a location for her tragic act that apparently minimized the risk to bystanders. “Concerned for the welfare of others, Hughes chose to jump onto the parking structure instead of the plaza where passers-by could have been hurt. A selfless last act,” a co-worker told Red State.
Toxic Workplace Leads to Employee Suicide at LA County Department of Public Healthhttps://t.co/IOiTe18O25
— RedState (@RedState) February 13, 2024
The repercussions of Hughes’ death have rippled through the department, with colleagues and anonymous posts on social media platforms like Reddit bringing attention to the alleged toxic and tyrannical atmosphere fostered by the management over the last three to five years. One Reddit user claiming to be Hughes’ co-worker wanted to shed light on the alleged poor management of their workplace.
“I want there to be a meaning for her death. I want others to know that we all share the same sentiment. I want something to be done to change our work place culture so that this doesn’t happen again,” Wild-Willow-2024 wrote on Reddit. “Lastly, I want those that led to Heather’s demise be held responsible for what they have done.”
“I can’t speak on the behalf of my colleagues but I myself am still facing these pressue from my immediate management team. I brought this home to my loved ones,” the user said. “It caused a heavy tension between me and my family. During COVID, I dove deep into alcohol and depression. I had to constantly remind myself that this is only a job but it was difficult since I take pride in the service I provided to the community.”