Treasury Failings Contributed to Employee Suicide, Coroner Rules
Published on 08/11/2026 at 12:37 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
An inquest in Surrey has concluded that the UK Treasury played a material role in the death of one of its employees after failing to follow its own disciplinary procedures. Coroner Anna Crawford ruled that the department's handling of an investigation into 26-year-old Chloe Moffat contributed to her suicide in May 2025 — a finding that will concern employers across the public and private sectors about the consequences of departing from formal workplace processes.
Disciplinary Meeting Preceded Death
Moffat, who served as a personal assistant to a director at the Treasury, attended a meeting on May 19, 2025, regarding an anonymous complaint alleging she had shared confidential information. The inquest heard that the meeting was distressing for the employee, who died the following day.
The coroner found that the Treasury failed to apply its established written disciplinary policy during the process. Crucially, the department did not clarify that the likely penalty for the alleged conduct was a written warning rather than dismissal. The ruling determined that the failure to inform Moffat she was not at risk of losing her job was a significant factor in the events that followed.
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Prevention of Future Deaths Report Issued
Following the findings, the coroner announced the issuance of a Prevention of Future Deaths report, directed at the Treasury, the wider civil service, and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas). The organisations involved are required to respond within 56 days.
The findings highlighted that the department's departure from its formal procedures created unnecessary distress for the employee during the investigative phase. Moffat had been described during the proceedings as a highly regarded staff member within the department.
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For UK employers, the case underscores the importance of adhering to internal disciplinary policies — particularly ensuring that employees understand the potential outcomes of proceedings against them.
