Suicide In The Workplace

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a new standard providing guidance to employers on measures they can take to prevent suicide and intervene and support suicidal employees in the workplace. One might argue that expecting employers to accept this level of responsibility for their staff is unduly onerous. It is a huge responsibility. But of course, it is not only suicidal workers who are impacted: suicide impacts people who have lost a loved one, a relative, a colleague. This is an issue that is likely to feature in practice, unfortunate as that sounds.

This is a difficult area to navigate, but it is clear, sadly, that awareness of suicide risk is a legitimate business concern. The standard the BSI has produced is likely to be relevant to line managers, HR, OH and health and safety teams. In fact, it must be relevant to all those involved in organisational wellbeing.