A lawsuit filed last year against Kroger Co. and two of its managers for the wrongful death of a worker who died by self-inflicted wounds in March 2021 challenges a long-held "suicide rule" in Ohio dating to 1983.

The rule "prevents placing legal blame on a person or institution for death caused by suicide," Business Insider reported Dec. 2.

The lawsuit filed by the worker's father notes that 40-year-old Evan Seyfried—who worked for Kroger in Milford, Ohio, for 19 years, where he was the dairy manager—had no prior history of severe mental health concerns. It accuses Kroger Co. and two of its managers of "driving an employee to death by suicide by creating 'disturbing, dangerous and deranged conditions.' "

Protests were planned earlier this year, on the one-year anniversary of Seyfried's death, to demand Kroger Co. take responsibility, WCPO-TV reported.

SHRM Online collected the following news articles on workplace-related suicide and the employer's role in suicide prevention.

A Kroger Worker Killed Himself. His Family Is Suing, Testing the 'Suicide Rule'

The case against Kroger has emerged as more Americans struggle with despair: A record 48,344 people took their own lives in 2018, and the country is grappling with suicide rates that have climbed for decades. The case against Kroger and its managers may test an Ohio legal precedent that has stood for more than three decades. How Kroger resolves this case could influence employment across the country.

One Year Later:...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiowFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zaHJtLm9yZ...