BASF Supervisor Sentenced for Extreme Workplace Bullying

A former team leader at the BASF chemical plant in Antwerp has been sentenced to 160 hours of community service and a maximum fine of €4,800 for systematically bullying a young employee over a period of approximately two years. The court found the 54-year-old supervisor guilty of workplace bullying, assault and battery with premeditation, and degrading treatment, in a case that has drawn attention to the prevalence of workplace harassment in Belgium.

The Abuse

The victim, identified in court documents as “Vincent*” (a pseudonym), was in his early twenties when he joined BASF Antwerp as a process operator and was assigned to the team of Filip D.J. According to VRT NWS, what began with verbal insults quickly escalated into physical abuse over the course of 2020 and 2021.

The supervisor repeatedly called the young employee “leeghoofd” (empty head) and “downie,” and mocked his educational qualifications as a “Bachelor van den Action” — a derogatory reference to a discount store. The harassment soon turned physical: the supervisor poured chocolate milk and garbage into the victim’s lunch, tore up his work drawings, and followed him into the toilet.

The abuse reached its most terrifying point on December 19, 2021, during a night shift, when Filip D.J. pulled a plastic bag over the victim’s head and attempted to strangle him, leaving a red mark on his neck. On another occasion, he held a potato peeler against the victim’s throat, saying, “Ik heb je” (“I’ve got you”).

The Verdict

The court delivered its verdict on May 28, 2026, finding Filip D.J. guilty on all three counts. The sentence of 160 hours of community service was heavier than the 120 hours requested by the labor auditor. The court also imposed the maximum fine of €4,800. The victim had already received approximately €12,000 in compensation before the trial.

In her ruling, as reported by HLN, the judge stated: “Filip D.J. often took the initiative for the bullying himself. Moreover, he was the team leader and was supposed to guide newcomers. Instead, he created a toxic work atmosphere in which newcomers were humiliated.”

The defense had argued that the supervisor was swept up in a group dynamic, referencing the notorious Reuzegom student fraternity case. The court rejected this argument, noting that as team leader, Filip D.J. bore primary responsibility.

A Wider Problem

The case is part of a broader pattern. According to a large-scale survey by the external prevention service IDEWE and KU Leuven, 1 in 10 workers in Belgium experienced workplace bullying in the past five years. The study, which analyzed data from 229,000 employees between 2020 and 2025, found that bullying leads to severe mental strain, increased burnout risk, and long-term absence from work.

Professor Lode Godderis of IDEWE emphasized that workplace bullying should be treated as a serious health risk. “We must not view bullying as a conflict, but as a real health risk,” he said.

Aftermath

BASF fired the supervisor with immediate effect in early 2022 when the allegations came to light. The company issued a statement saying it “regrets the incident and condemns it in the strongest terms,” adding that the incident “runs counter to the company’s values.” The victim continues to work at BASF in a different team and has received full support from the company.

The convicted supervisor has since found employment elsewhere and is undergoing therapy. His lawyer, John Maes, told the court: “He is ashamed, regrets it, and tries to learn lessons from it. He is in therapy and hopes to close this chapter.”

The victim’s lawyer, Christian Clement, said the verdict sends a powerful message: “With this verdict, a very clear signal is sent that anyone who has a form of responsibility over colleagues in the workplace must also behave accordingly.”

What’s Next

Legal experts say the case could influence how Belgian courts handle workplace bullying cases, particularly where supervisors abuse their hierarchical power. The heavier-than-requested sentence signals that courts are taking psychological harassment seriously, and may encourage more victims to come forward. For the victim, who told VRT NWS that the ordeal “really took a huge toll on me mentally,” the verdict brings a measure of closure after years of trauma.