英国验尸官Anna Crawford日前裁定，财政部的行为"实质性导致"了26岁个人助理Chloe Moffat的自杀[1]。Moffat在2023年5月19日参加一场非正式纪律会议后的次日自杀身亡[1]。验尸官指出，财政部未能遵循自身政策进行正式程序，也未向Moffat清楚表明会议可能导致的后果——仅为书面警告而非解雇——这使得她相信自己将因一项匿名投诉而失业[1]。
验尸官发现，Moffat在财政部工作近3年期间"显得健康快乐"，此前无心理健康问题[1]。尽管财政部官员声称采用非正式会议是为了"不让Chloe担心"[1]，但验尸官认为恰恰相反，这种做法加重了不确定性和焦虑。验尸官已向财政部和英国公务员事务部门发出"预防未来死亡"报告[1]，警示存在"未来在公务员系统中发生类似死亡的风险"[1]。
A UK coroner has determined that the Treasury "materially contributed" to the death of Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old personal assistant who took her own life following a disciplinary meeting.[1] Coroner Anna Crawford ruled that the department failed to follow its own procedures and failed to adequately prepare for the possibility that Moffat might lose her job, leaving her convinced of her impending dismissal.[1] The incident occurred the day after an informal disciplinary meeting held on May 19, 2023, at which Moffat had faced consequences stemming from an anonymous complaint.[1]
Crawford found that Moffat had appeared healthy and happy prior to the meeting and had no prior mental health difficulties, making the sudden change in her circumstances particularly significant.[1] Treasury officials had chosen to conduct an informal meeting rather than follow formal procedures, claiming they wanted to avoid causing Moffat worry, but the coroner identified a critical failing: Moffat was not informed that the likely outcome would be merely a written warning rather than dismissal.[1] The coroner determined that the failure to communicate the actual potential consequences was a key factor in the tragedy.[1]
Crawford has issued a "Prevention of Future Deaths" report to both the Treasury and the UK Civil Service, expressing concern that similar deaths could occur within the civil service system if procedures are not reformed.[1]