Employee welfare: Suicide and the workplace

The British Standards Institution has published BS 30480:2025 'Suicide and the Workplace' which provides helpful guidance for managers on intervention, suicide prevention and support for people affected by suicide.

What will this guidance help me with?

• Identify and manage suicide risk in the workplace.
• Strengthen workplace policies and culture around suicide awareness.
• Have confident, consistent and compassionate conversations about suicide in workplace settings.
• Embed clear processes to support and communicate with staff and families after suicide loss.

This guidance provides employers with simple, practical tips and pointers to follow. It is a useful resource, particularly for managers who are confronted with difficult situations, which are not frequently encountered but can have serious consequences. Although not every element will be directly relevant to all organisations, it offers a clear framework for reflecting on existing arrangements and considering whether proportionate adjustments may help improve clarity and consistency.

BS 30480:2025 complements the Health and Safety Executive's legal guidance on stress and mental health at work which also provides detailed guidance on mental health conditions in the workplace and management of work related stress.

Employers who take note and implement the key principles contained in these resources will be much better equipped to approach this sensitive area in a thoughtful and well‑reasoned way and minimise risks.

DLA are experienced in working with clients to develop policies and procedures to increase their organisational resilience and strengthen their overall approach. Please contact the authors or your regular DLA Piper contact for further advice.