Issues like stress, bullying, and excessive workloads, which may contribute to suicidal thoughts, must be addressed by employers. This entails identifying workplace hazards, assessing who may be at risk, and taking measures to eliminate or minimise these risks. Employers should also adopt a comprehensive suicide prevention policy integrated into their broader framework. Employers should prevent or reduce stress caused by work factors by complying fully with HSE’s Stress Management Standards and as part of this by ensuring oversight of workload / working hours for all employees.
The HSE has prepared guidance for employers on suicide prevention. Amongst other things, it encourages employers to:
- Allow workers flexibility with working hours.
- Allow workers time for counselling or medical appointments.
- Allow workers time to get other advice.
- Promote good mental health in the workplace.
- Remove stigma attached to mental health issues.
- Tackle potential mental health triggers such as bullying, harassment and discrimination.
- Consider the impact of change, redundancies and job security.
- Consider the impact of stressful events at work such as change, reorganisation and disciplinary action.
- Ask how workers with pre-existing issues can be supported.
- Restrict or control access to certain items for those with suicidal thoughts.
- Consider the impact on colleagues if someone takes their own life.
- Offer counselling and other support to staff in the aftermath of a work suicide.
- Review risk assessments for work-related stress and mental health.
Remember that leaders and managers are employees too and need to be looked after.