What responsibility does a company have to its employees’ mental health?

“ The two highest achievements of the human mind are the twin concepts of "loyalty" and "duty". Whenever these twin concepts fall into disrepute, get out of there fast! You may possibly save yourself, but it is too late to save that society. It is doomed.” - Robert A. Heinlein


The 23rd suicide in 18 months by a France Telecom employee has prompted the French government to demand answers. This tragic statistic may be an anomaly; at the same time it once again raises questions around a company’s responsibility towards its employees’ mental health and well-being.

If people are the most important asset how is that reflected in the culture and leadership of an organization? Part of the strategic focus for any business needs to include decisions about the spirit of the venture and the environment in which people can make the best possible contribution.

A live strategy is visible through the day-to-day management of an organization whose precepts have been decided in advance. This demands a level of management skill and awareness around creating an environment in which people can excel. Sadly, when this level of thinking is lacking people become the least important asset. If a company takes its workforce for granted, “we pay them, don’t we?”, it will eventually lose ground to competition and find it difficult to recruit good people in the future.

As the organizational effectiveness model says, happy employees equal happy customers equal happy investors.


“ A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the "why" for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any "how." - Victor Frankl