Supermarket Worker’s Death Ruled a Work Accident in Spain, Emphasizing the Importance of Psychosocial Risks

In April 2021, a supermarket chain worker in Cantabria took his own life and it was determined to be a work accident by the Superior Court of Justice of Cantabria. The Social Chamber has now upheld this ruling after rejecting an appeal filed by the company. The court emphasized that the death was directly related to workplace issues, including harassment complaints and a lack of evaluation of psychosocial risks.

The employee had expressed concern about legal consequences related to the harassment complaint before his death, indicating a clear link between the work environment and his decision to take his own life. Despite the company’s argument that the death was due to a common illness rather than a work accident, the Supreme Court found that there was no evidence of pre-existing psychiatric conditions that could have attributed the suicide to factors unrelated to work.

This case is unique as it distinguishes itself from similar cases involving other professions, such as bank directors in Tenerife, where the cause of death was determined to be a combination of familial and work-related stressors, rather than exclusively work-related factors. This decision serves as a reminder for employers to prioritize their employees’ well-being and take necessary steps to prevent situations that can lead to tragic outcomes like suicide.