Treasury contributed to woman's death, inquest hears
An inquest has concluded that the Treasury contributed to the suicide of a 26-year-old employee after she was subjected to a high-pressure disciplinary meeting. The court found that the department failed to follow its own disciplinary policies, leaving the employee feeling isolated and fearful for her career.
Why it matters
This case highlights the critical importance of duty of care and proper HR procedures in high-pressure government environments to prevent mental health crises.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A taxi drives past the the HM Treasury building in Whitehall - the department said it was carefully considering the findings of the inquest
The death of a Treasury worker who took her own life the day after a meeting with her managers was "materially contributed" to by her employers, an inquest has heard.
Chloe Moffat, 26, a personal assistant to a Treasury director, died on 20 May last year, after she was told of allegations she had shared sensitive confidential information about colleagues, which she denied.
Surrey Coroner's Court heard the Treasury did not apply written disciplinary policy which would have made clear that if the allegations were proven, the likely penalty was a written warning, not dismissal.
A spokesperson for the Treasury said it was "considering the findings carefully".
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