Campaign “Invisible Scars” Draws Attention to Workplace Mobbing

The Latvian Parents’ Organization together with the association “Slow Science” has launched the campaign “Invisible Scars” aimed at informing about workplace mobbing and its consequences. The campaign is based on an online survey “Workplace Experience and Employee Well-being in Latvia” conducted from November 2025 to April 2026, involving 1,577 employed people across Latvia.

Survey data show that a significant portion of respondents have experienced mobbing in recent months and rated their psychological well-being as low. Those who experienced negative treatment more often used sick leave, worked while feeling unwell, and considered changing jobs.

During the campaign, explanations of survey results, expert comments, and personal stories will be published. Discussions on psychological safety at work are also planned. A key event will be a public discussion titled “Invisible Scars” at the “Lampa” conversation festival on July 11 at 6:30 PM. Experts, employer representatives, and researchers will discuss the prevalence of mobbing, organizational culture, and necessary changes. The discussion will be available via live stream.

Study leader Edmunds Vanags notes that society often perceives mobbing as a conflict or personal dislike, but it is actually repeated and prolonged psychological violence affecting self-esteem, emotional health, sleep, work ability, and relationships. He emphasizes that it is an organizational culture problem, not just an individual issue.

The survey organizers also found that some victims did not report incidents, and even when they did, reporting did not always improve the situation. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen post-reporting support. The campaign is supported by “Swedbank” and “Sunstar Group”.