The heartbroken mother of a woman who died by suicide after facing disciplinary measures while working at His Majesty’s Treasury, UK, is campaigning for a change in practices.
26-year-old Chloe Moffat took her own life in May 2025, one day after being summoned to a disciplinary meeting at work.
As per reports, Moffat had worked as a personal assistant at His Majesty’s Treasury for almost three years. Attendees present at the inquest into her death at Surrey Coroners’ Court heard earlier this month heard about her ‘exemplary employment record’, along with her alleged ‘love’ of the job.
In the same inquest, attention then shifted to the aforementioned disciplinary meeting Moffat was called into a day before her death. An anonymous complaint had been made about her by a co-worker, accusing her of sharing confidential information about colleagues.
The co-worker in question is alleged to have claimed that Moffat shared information she gained access to courtesy of running her director’s email inbox.
The court heard that Moffat had not been notified of the meeting’s subject matter prior to being called into the room. Neither was she reassured by managers during the meeting that she would not be fired for her alleged transgression, despite the high likelihood that her job was safe.
According to reports, Moffat was left “devastated” by the prospect of losing her job. Compounding the tragedy was that Moffat had been up for a promotion and had been given a bonus for her hard work. The 26-year-old, however, was aware of neither of these things.
Just one day after the disciplinary meeting, Moffat died by suicide.
Speaking at the inquest into her death, her mother, Anne Moffat, told the court: “The evidence establishes a clear sequence of events. Had Chloe been properly supported and advised of her rights before the meeting, she would not have been so devastated and isolated.”
Anne is now calling upon HM Treasury to ‘require an assessment of employees’ mental welfare in disciplinary proceedings’, and that ‘where serious or gross misconduct is alleged, the matter is treated as formal from the outset and the accused is informed of their rights’.
She added: “Our hope is that lessons will be learned. The risks must be recognised so no other family will experience a loss like this.”
Moffat’s senior manager, who was present at the disciplinary meeting, recalled that Moffat had asked if she would be fired.
“I said I couldn’t predict any outcome of any potential investigation,” the manager replied.
Moffat’s line manager, meanwhile, said Moffat was ‘shocked, crying at points, distressed, overwhelmed’.
The coroner asked: “Given these allegations, that were potentially serious, were going to be raised with her, was any consideration given to notifying her so she could prepare herself, seek support and respond?”
“No, this could cause unnecessary stress,” the manager replied.
A friend of Moffat’s also appeared in court, telling how she had received a text from Moffat following the meeting which read: “I am going to be fired.”
The pair then met in St James’ Park, London, where Moffat ‘broke down crying’.
A spokesperson for HM Treasury confirmed the department would be amending its disciplinary proceedings in light of Moffat’s death.
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