What should we do if our employee threatens to commit suicide? Do we have any obligations?

The threat to commit suicide may implicate California’s workplace violence prevention law, depending on the circumstances. Most employers are covered by this law, which requires employers to implement and maintain a workplace violence prevention plan detailing procedures for identifying and mitigating workplace violence hazards and receiving and responding to workplace violence threats and incidents.

Though an employer’s workplace violence prevention procedures must be customized for their own worksite and business circumstances, the following are some common potential responses to a threat like this, which may apply even if your company isn’t covered by California’s workplace violence prevention law.

If you have an intense situation where it appears the employee is about to commit harm to themselves, you should call 911 immediately.

Alternatively, you can take the individual to an emergency room after ascertaining they have no ways to commit such harm.

Another possibility is to provide the employee with a suicide prevention telephone number. The National Suicide Prevention Helpline number is: (800) 273-8255. It is a United States-based suicide prevention network of more than 160 crisis centers that provide 24/7 service, available to anyone in suicidal crisis.

Additionally, many employers provide employees with an employee assistance program (EAP) benefit. The EAP assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may have an impact on the employees’ job performance, health, or mental and emotional well-being.

EAPs generally offer free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals and follow-up services for employees.

Finally, when an employee has expressed threats of suicide, be it to their employer/fellow employees or on social media, then doesn’t come in to work, another option is a police wellness check.

A wellness check is an in-person call from local law enforcement to someone whose behavior has become suspicious in some way. Usually requested by a friend or family member, the service is available to everyone and is something that cops take seriously. An employer often is in a position to make such a request.

Read more about California's Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements in the HR Library.