Workplace Stress Solicitors

What can lead to stress at work?

Stress is part and parcel of everyday life. Anxiety and symptoms brought on by stress are not usually compensatable. However, when stress levels in the workplace become so high that they cause a recognised psychiatric injury, it may be possible to claim compensation.

Some of the most common reasons people suffer high levels of stress at work are:

• Excessive workload. Is your employer asking you to complete too much work? Do you feel that you cannot cope with it and that your health will be affected if you continue working this way?
• Impossible targets. Is your employer setting you unachievable targets?
• Micromanagement. Do you feel you are constantly being monitored, or is your work scrutinised more than your colleagues?
• Lack of training. Receiving inadequate training can contribute to stress in the workplace. 
• Bullying or harassment. Is your employer, supervisor or colleague picking on you? If so, you could make a claim for bullying under the  Equality Act 2010. 
• Denial of rights. Being denied your legal rights, such as breaks and rest periods, could contribute to increased stress. 
• Failing to make reasonable adjustments in relation to a disability. 

Problems resulting from work-related stress

The NHS says there are many problems resulting from work-related stress:

• Physical effects such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and weight loss.
• Mental health issues including feelings of anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and nervous breakdown.
• Relationships difficulties, marriage breakdown, alcoholism and drug abuse.
• Career problems, unemployment and loss of earnings.
• Financial problems, bankruptcy and debt.
• Poor performance at work.

What you should do if you’re suffering from the effects of stress.

 If you think your health is suffering because you feel stressed at work, there are things you can do to try and alleviate the symptoms of stress.

1. Speak to your boss or manager about your concerns.
2. Seek medical advice from a doctor.
3. Ask for an occupational health appointment.
4. Write down how you feel every day before speaking to a GP or your employer.
5. It may also be a great idea to keep a diary of how you’ve been feeling since starting work

Do I have to prove anything to make a stress-related claim for compensation?

Yes, for you to succeed in making an employer legally liable to pay compensation for injuries caused by stress at work, several things must be proved by the victim.

It is for the victim to prove that the employer owed them a duty of care, that the employer breached the duty of care, and that the actual breach of duty caused a recognised psychiatric injury.

The victim must also prove that the injury was foreseeable. An injury can be deemed to be foreseeable in the legal sense if the victim gives a timely warning of impending injury or, given the particular circumstances, it ought to have been apparent to the employer that, in the absence of intervention, the psychiatric injury was likely to occur. In extreme bullying and persecution cases, it might be possible to bring a claim under the Protection from Harassment Act for anxiety alone and/or psychological injury.

Is there a time limit for making a workplace stress claim?

There are time limits for bringing claims for making personal injury claims, including compensation for Occupational Stress and Harassment, so it’s essential to seek legal advice as soon as possible. 

We are a specialist firm of personal injury solicitors with experience and expertise in acting for victims of Occupational Stress and Harassment. We will provide independent and jargon-free advice to you on your employer’s legal duties towards employees and whether you have a valid claim for undue stress.

Our work-related stress claims team is ready to help you

Our expert personal injury team have been fighting for justice for claimants for over 100 years, and we never act for insurance companies or employers. This means our employment solicitors have vast knowledge and legal insight into how to achieve a winning outcome for you.

if you want to speak with one of our experienced employment law experts and chat through your options about pursuing compensation for stress – no obligation and free of charge – please call: – 0800 988 0777

You will receive free initial advice, and if we accept your work-related stress case, we’ll offer you a no-win, no-fee agreement if you do not have legal expenses insurance or are not a Trade Union Member.