Is the Employer Liable for Workplace Suicide? Expert Weighs In After Standard Bank Employee Tragedy

• A Standard Bank employee committed suicide in the bank's head office in Johannesburg
• The employee reportedly had mental health issues, which she confided in her colleagues about weeks ago
• South Africans slammed the bank, blaming them for the suicide, which happened before World Mental Health Day on 10 October

With nine years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

JOHANNESBURG — A woman who worked for Standard Bank committed suicide at their head office after complaining about her mental health issues weeks before.

Employee takes her own life

The employee was reportedly unhappy and confided in her colleagues before she took her own life. She took her own life in the week leading up to World Mental Health Day, which was on 10 October 2024.

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Standard Bank is aware of incident

In a statement the Bank released about the incident, Standard Bank did not acknowledge that she took her own life but said that she fell out of the building. The bank said it remains committed to supporting those who were affected. The police are currently investigating the incident and have opened an inquest docket.

If you are feeling suicidal or are thinking about hurting yourself, do not hesitate to call the SA Suicide Crisis Line at 0800 567 567.

If you are concerned that someone you know might be in danger of hurting themselves, please alert your local authorities for immediate assistance. You can also encourage the person to contact a suicide prevention hotline using the information above.

Help is available on the Suicide Crisis Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and counsellors can conduct calls in all 11 official languages.

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Employee wellness guru weighs in

Executive coach, psychosocial wellness and enneagram practitioner Mahalia Molema spoke exclusively to Briefly News about the prevalence of suicide, particularly in the workplace, and whether the law allowed employers to be held accountable for an employee taking their own life.

With over a decade of experience as an executive coach, Molema specialises in employee wellness, mental well-being, and leadership development.

In assessing the crises, she said suicide discussions in South Africa often remained sidelined due to stigma and misunderstanding.

"These conversations typically arise only after high-profile events, such as celebrity suicides, but quickly fade without addressing the underlying issues," she said pointedly.

"Depression, a critical factor in suicide, is often overlooked, leading to a cycle of silence about mental health struggles. This is particularly concerning in the workplace, where stress, bullying, and poor communication can harm psychological safety and employee well-being.

"Employees facing unmet expectations may feel isolated, and this despair can lead to tragic outcomes. Organisations must adopt a 'Policy, Work Culture, and Wellness (PWW) approach', which includes reviewing existing policies to foster a respectful and supportive environment."

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The wellness specialist, who completed her Master's in Management Science at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), advocated for companies to implement anti-bullying measures, conduct regular culture assessments, and offer wellness initiatives, such as workshops and aftercare.

"These can provide ongoing support. By promoting mental health awareness and encouraging open dialogue, workplaces can play a vital role in preventing suicides and supporting employee wellness. It’s crucial to prioritize these discussions to ensure no one feels alone in their struggles."

How complicit is the employer?

When asked whether the employment contract and whether the employer should be held liable in the event a worker committed suicide, she said workplace policies often lacked provisions for psychological safety as companies sought to limit legal accountability.

"However, organisations must reassess their policies to foster a healthier work environment where employees feel supported and valued.

"Additionally, employers should be liable for the employees who have expressed their mental health issues to management, Human Resources or colleagues. Prioritising mental well-being is not just a legal or ethical responsibility, it is essential for a sustainable and thriving workforce.

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"[But], unfortunately, many employers [still] primarily focus on productivity and financial targets rather than employee mental health."

Molema added that workplace suicide was a tragic and alarming event that called for serious investigation. Beyond the immediate shock, she said it raised critical questions about the work environment and the challenges employees faced —many of whom senior management may not have been aware of.

Notably, she said organisations must take proactive steps to investigate such incidents for three key reasons, namely:

• Understanding the causes: Identifying workplace stressors that may have contributed to the tragedy;
• Rebuilding employee trust: Demonstrating a genuine commitment to staff well-being; and
• Enhancing workplace support: Implementing policies that prioritise mental health and psychological safety.

South Africans discuss toxic workplaces

Facebook users commenting on the story talked about the impacts of a toxic workplace.

Shirley Burns said:

"It's all over, not just banks only."

Francis P Maphitha said:

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"The so-called seniors are so abusive, and they don't care about their juniors."

Possenti Mkumbuzi said:

"Work environment is so toxic, employees will come drunk so they can get fired."

Sanda Dubois said:

"Companies put staff under a lot of stress and pressure, and this is not fair because many people are not strong."

Zolile Mthunjwa said:

"The workplace is brutal. They don't care about you. "

Christine Miles said:

"You see this happening daily in the workplace. Toxic working culture."

Learner commits suicide

In a related article, Briefly News reported that a learner from a high school in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, committed suicide.

The learner complained that his teacher regularly bullied him and took his life as a result.

Source: Briefly News