Bullying: Police officer Ella Varis quit her job because her workplace became too oppressive
Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Police officer Ella Varis resigned from her job due to a hostile work environment, leaving an unresolved bullying case.
- Varis gained popularity for her work reaching young people through videos, but this attention led to problems with colleagues.
- She compares her situation to that of a bullied student who is told to resolve their own issues.
Ella Varis, a 28-year-old police officer, has resigned from her position, citing a toxic work environment and unresolved issues of workplace bullying. Varis had achieved significant popularity for her innovative approach to engaging with young people through online videos, a success that ironically led to her becoming a target.
Her work, which involved reaching out to youth, made her a public figure. However, this increased visibility also attracted negative attention from within her own ranks. The article notes that "angry comments from colleagues" began appearing soon after her videos gained traction. This professional success, instead of fostering support, created a hostile atmosphere.
Varis describes her departure as a necessary step, likening her situation to that of a schoolchild who is bullied. "You wouldn't tell a bullied student, 'Why don't you solve this problem yourself, why did you run away by changing schools?'" she stated, highlighting the perceived injustice of being expected to resolve the bullying issues herself after leaving the environment.
The decision to resign came before the workplace bullying case was officially settled, adding a layer of unresolved conflict to her departure. Varis's experience underscores the challenges faced by individuals in the public eye, even when their work is intended to be positive and impactful.
You wouldn't tell a bullied student, 'Why don't you solve this problem yourself, why did you run away by changing schools?' It's the same thing.
Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.