Peter Howard’s death after workplace bullying to be investigated by SA coroner

Peter Howard kept a diary of bullying he suffered before taking his own life in full view of his workplace. Now, his family’s plea for a coronial inquest has been granted.

A coronial inquest will be held into the suicide of an Adelaide victim of workplace bullying whose family says his death “must not be in vain” and the time for change is now.

Peter Howard was 59 when he took his own life in August 2018. He had parked in his car in full view of the Athol Park packaging factory where he worked as a forklift driver.

Mr Howard’s wife Sharon, 57, said the SA Coroner’s Office advised her on Christmas Eve that the family’s push for an an inquest would be granted.

“We were given the best Christmas present any of us could have wished for,” Mrs Howard said.

Peter Howard in 2017 – one year before he took his own life after many years of repeated workplace bullying.

A spokeswoman for the Coroners Court confirmed the inquest but said it was unlikely to be held until 2023 or later because of a backlog of cases.

Mrs Howard said it had been a long three years since her husband died, but his death must not be in vain. Nearly 30,000 people have signed a change.org petition since the Sunday Mail first reported the family’s plea on December 19.

“Peter’s story is an appalling story of workplace bullying that he suffered for more than 20 years,” Mrs Howard said.

“It really is time for change. We believe that Australia has come of age, and this behaviour needs to be stamped out.”

Mr Howard worked for packaging company Orora when he died. He kept a workplace diary for many years up to his death which documents repetitive and targeted behaviour by colleagues that included tampering of his forklift, persistent skylarking, and verbally abusive taunts.

Peter Howard’s family: (l-r) Emma Acella, Sharon Howard, Jacob Howard, Kevin Schwartz, Cameron Howard, Nathan, Ingrid, Paul Howard, Carmel Schwartz and Tom Howard. Peter took his own life after years of workplace bullying. Picture: Morgan Sette

SafeWork SA – the state government body responsible for workplace safety enforcement – said it welcomed the Coroner’s decision and would provide all documents requested by the coroner for his consideration.

In 2020, a SafeWork SA investigation into Mr Howard’s death concluded not to proceed with prosecution as there was insufficient evidence to prove a case.

An independent report by an academic expert – the full report of which has not been released to the family – has confirmed “the unacceptable behaviour experienced by Peter Howard from his co-workers meets the criteria for workplace bullying” under the state’s Health and Safety Act. And a medical examiner’s report found Mr Howard’s employment was a “significant” contributor to his “psychiatric injury”.

His family do not know why he was targeted.

Peter Howard (far right) with sons (L-R) Jacob, Cameron, Nathan and wife Sharon at a friend's 21st birthday in 2017.

SA-BEST MLC Connie Bonaros, who has been helping the family to obtain information, said a coronial inquest was the most appropriate way of determining exactly what pushed Mr Howard over the edge

Orora Group has said it worked “extensively” to co-operate in the SafeWork SA investigation and had expanded its safety training to include “a comprehensive program” for identifying and responding to bullying and supporting mental health in the workplace.