Suicide and the workplace: practical steps for employers under new BSI guidance

Please be aware this blog discusses suicide and suicide prevention in the workplace.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published the UK’s first workplace standard focused specifically on suicide prevention, intervention and support: Suicide and the workplace – Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide – Guide (BS 30480).

Alongside it comes a free, practical 'first steps' guide designed to help organisations take realistic, manageable action. Together, they represent a major shift in how workplaces are encouraged to approach one of the most sensitive and often avoided topics: suicide.

Suicide can feel like a subject that sits outside the workplace, something too personal, too complex, or too difficult to discuss. Yet the reality is very different.

Research shows that one in four adults will think about suicide during their lifetime and one in 13 has attempted it. Many employees will lose someone close to them to suicide or find themselves supporting a colleague who has. Workplaces are often where behavioural changes are noticed, where conversations happen, and where support systems can make a real difference.

The new BSI standard is applicable to all organisations, regardless of size and type. It provides a framework to help organisations understand the issue, respond with confidence, and put systems in place long before a crisis occurs. It’s a call for more open conversations, better understanding and practical support when it’s needed most.

Why suicide is a workplace issue

Most adults spend a significant part of their lives at work, so it’s unsurprising that workplaces can be affected by suicide in some way – whether through an employee in distress, the loss of a colleague, or the bereavement of someone on the team.

Many factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts can be influenced by work: excessive workload, unclear expectations, bullying or harassment, job insecurity, organisational change, or exposure to trauma.

At the same time, work can be a powerful protective factor. A sense of belonging, supportive colleagues, flexible managers and psychologically safe conversations can genuinely help people stay connected and stay safe. The new BSI standard is built on this dual reality: work can increase risk, but it can also be a place of real, meaningful support.

What the new BSI standard covers

The new BSI standard is structured around three core themes:

• Prevention: how to build open, inclusive cultures where mental health can be discussed without judgement. This includes recognising risk factors and warning signs, addressing workplace stressors, and developing policies that put wellbeing at the centre.
• Intervention: clear, evidence-based guidance on what to do when someone may be at risk. That includes how to ask directly about suicide and how to respond calmly and safely. The new BSI standard also covers safety plans, confidentiality and escalation routes.
• Postvention (support after a suicide): if the worst happens, how should an organisation respond? The new BSI standard explains how to communicate sensitively, support those affected, manage return-to-work scenarios and handle media enquiries appropriately.

It highlights when organisations should seek specialist advice and how to commission credible suicide-prevention training.

The annexes also include practical toolkits: an HR checklist, a line manager toolkit, commissioning guidance for training providers and self-evaluation questions.

The BSI 'Five First Steps' guide: simple, realistic actions

The accompanying 'first steps' guide is intentionally accessible, especially for smaller organisations. It stresses that employers don’t need large HR teams or complex systems to begin. Instead, it offers five practical starting points:

Recognise the issue and commit to action

Openly acknowledging that suicide is a workplace issue removes stigma and shows leadership. A short statement, an update to your wellbeing policy or naming a suicide prevention lead sends a clear, reassuring message.

Build awareness and understanding

Managers often worry about 'saying the wrong thing'. The guide encourages organisations to build confidence through gentle training, shared resources and myth-busting. Knowing how to spot signs of distress or approach a sensitive conversation is both humane and protective.

Share clear support pathways

People need to know where to go for help. This might include your Employee Assistance Programme, mental health first aiders, HR contacts, or reliable external sources such as Samaritans, Hub of Hope, or Papyrus.

Be prepared to help

A simple crisis protocol helps managers feel ready rather than overwhelmed. The new BSI standard offers step-by-step guidance on asking direct questions, listening with empathy, signposting to professional services and escalating where risk is imminent. You don’t need to be a medical professional – just calm, compassionate and clear.

Plan for support and recovery after a suicide

A considered, compassionate response can protect wellbeing, trust and morale after a loss. The guide includes templates and checklists for communication, team support, memorials, and helping individuals return to work at their own pace.

Why this standard matters now

Although the new BSI standard is not a statutory or regulatory requirement, it sets a powerful new benchmark for what 'good' looks like in workplace wellbeing.

It also reflects growing expectations – from employees, regulators and the public – that organisations will take mental health seriously. Silence is no longer neutral; it can be harmful. Conversely, organisations that create psychologically safe environments see benefits in retention, performance and trust.

The new BSI standard is designed to be flexible and realistic, suitable for large employers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and even freelancers. It gives employers permission and a practical route to talk about suicide with sensitivity, confidence and compassion.

What employers can do next

The new BSI standard is a substantial document, but worth reading in full. The actions it encourages are often small, human and achievable. Employers may wish to consider:

• reviewing wellbeing, HR and health and safety policies to ensure suicide prevention is recognised;
• training managers to spot signs of distress and hold supportive conversations;
• making support routes highly visible and easy to access;
• creating individual safety plans for employees who disclose suicidal thoughts;
• reviewing workplace stressors – especially during disciplinaries, performance processes or restructures;
• building a postvention plan, even if you never need to use it;
• talking openly about appropriate language ('died by suicide' rather than 'committed suicide'); and
• encouraging leaders to model empathy and openness.

Above all, the principle underlying both the new BSI standard and the guide is simple: compassionate workplaces save lives.

Small conversations and small adjustments can create space for people to speak, reach out and recover.

This publication is a general summary of the law. It should not replace legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

© Farrer & Co LLP, November 2025