The death of a Treasury worker who took her own life the day after a meeting with her managers was “materially contributed” to by her employers, an inquest has heard.
Chloe Moffat, 26, a personal assistant to a Treasury director, died on 20 May last year, after she was told of allegations she had shared sensitive confidential information about colleagues, which she denied.
Surrey Coroner’s Court heard the Treasury did not apply written disciplinary policy which would have made clear that if the allegations were proven, the likely penalty was a written warning, not dismissal.
A spokesperson for the Treasury said it was “considering the findings carefully”.
In a statement to the press, Moffat’s family said they believed the Treasury failed in its duty of care.
“When she needed support, reassurance and fair treatment, she was left frightened, isolated and convinced her career and reputation had been destroyed,” they added.
The inquest, in which a conclusion of suicide was recorded, heard that on 19 May Moffat went to what she thought was a routine one-to-one with her line manager, but a more senior manager was also present.
She was told of allegations she had shared sensitive personal information about colleagues, obtained as part of her job.
Moffat, from London, denied this.
