Company Failed to Address Psychosocial Risks in Workplace, Leading to Employee’s Tragic Suicide Ruled as Work Accident

In April 2021, a supermarket chain worker in Cantabria took his own life and the Supreme Court has now ruled that it was a work accident. The ruling rejected an appeal filed by the company against a previous decision by the Superior Court of Justice of Cantabria, which had classified the worker’s suicide as a work accident and ordered compensation and pensions to be paid to his family.

The court emphasized that there was no evidence of pre-existing psychiatric conditions that could have attributed the suicide to factors unrelated to work. Despite the company’s argument that the death was due to a common illness rather than a work accident, the Supreme Court found that the circumstances leading up to the suicide were directly related to workplace issues.

The employee had faced harassment complaints, which led him to be transferred within the supermarket chain. He had expressed concern about potential legal consequences before his death, indicating a clear link between his work environment and his decision to take his own life. The ruling highlighted the lack of evaluation of psychosocial risks in the workplace and the company’s failure to implement preventative measures to address these risks, which were deemed contributing factors in the suicide case.

In conclusion, this case serves as a reminder that employers need prioritize their employees’ well-being by taking necessary steps to prevent situations that can lead to tragic outcomes like suicide. It underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing workplace-related mental health issues and their potential consequences on employees’ lives.