Mother calls for Treasury disciplinary change after daughter’s suicide
7 reported
The mother of Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old Treasury employee who took her own life after a disciplinary meeting, has called on the department to change its practices. An inquest at Surrey coroners’ court heard that Moffat, who had worked as a personal assistant for nearly three years, had an exemplary employment record and was in line for a promotion. Witnesses said she was driven to distress by a meeting about an anonymous complaint, during which she was not reassured her job was safe and was not allowed a third party of her choice. The day after the meeting, Moffat killed herself. Her mother, Anne, stated that had Chloe been properly supported and advised of her rights, she would not have been so devastated. The Treasury is changing its disciplinary proceedings as a result of the death, including piloting new advice for staff and providing additional training for managers.
What’s reported
Chloe Moffat, 26, worked at the Treasury as a personal assistant for almost three years and had an exemplary employment record.
She was in line for promotion and awarded a bonus for good work, which she never heard about before her death.
At an inquest, witnesses said Moffat was driven to distress by a meeting about an anonymous complaint that she had shared confidential information about colleagues.
During the meeting, she was not reassured her job was safe, even though she was unlikely to be dismissed, and was not allowed to have a third party of her choice present.
The day after the meeting, Moffat killed herself.
Her mother, Anne, is calling for the Treasury to require an assessment of employees’ mental welfare in disciplinary proceedings and to treat serious misconduct allegations as formal from the outset.
The Treasury is changing its disciplinary proceedings, piloting new advice for staff, and providing additional training for managers.
Key figures
Chloe Moffat, 26, Treasury employee
Anne Moffat, mother of Chloe Moffat
Kimberly Aldrich, line manager and head of group management for international economics
Elizabeth Farmer, senior manager and head of global issues
Helena Cawley, friend and colleague of Chloe Moffat
Anna Crawford, coroner
Karen McDermott, senior HR adviser at the Treasury
Laura Mcarthur, senior HR business partner at the Treasury
Sources: The Guardian
