Work-related stress claims

Because mental illness is an unseen condition, it is often difficult for sufferers to seek treatment and for employers to realise it is a genuine reason for someone being unable to perform their job.

If pressure at work becomes excessive it may cause harm to some people, especially if it is long-term. Employers may be considered liable should the stress have been caused by actions or neglect including excessive workload, inadequate training or poor working relationships such as bullying by a manager.

Under health and safety regulations, employers should undertake risk assessments to manage levels of stress and reduce this illness in the workplace or they could be liable to face a compensation claim from the victim.

If an employee has failed to manage or prevent levels of stress within their working environment, employees could be able to seek the advice of an experienced solicitor.

If you feel their boss has been negligent over their welfare contact YouClaim today to see if you could claim compensation against your employer. Support claimants who say stress induced by their jobs has left them unable to work or function adequately in other areas of their lives.

What are the causes of work related stress?

Stress can be a major problem and can affect anyone. The conditions which may lead to stress include:

• Boring or repetitive work
• Role confusion
• Lack of control
• Lack of communication
• Blame culture
• Lack of support for individuals to develop their skills
• Inflexible work schedules
• Poor working relationships with other members of staff
• Bullying, racial or sexual harassment
• Physical danger (such as risk of violence)
• Poor working conditions (such as noise)
• Long working hours

What are the effects of stress at work?

Of course, over short periods, stress is perfectly healthy, and virtually everyone can cope with it in small doses. However, over a prolonged period, stress can bring about major problems such as heart disease and stroke. Although some people appear to enjoy stress, for others, the outcomes can be devastating. One piece of Scottish research found that heart attacks were more likely to occur on a Monday than on any other day of the week. Some of the other consequences of stress can include:

• The development of stomach ulcers and increased blood pressure
• Over-indulgence in unhealthy habits, such as overeating, smoking and drinking
• Insomnia, which in turn can decrease performance at work, and increase the level of stress experienced.
• Depression

Common jobs causing stress

Common jobs causing physical and psychological stress are as follows:

Physical health

• Ambulance
• Teachers
• Social services, providing care
• Customer services (call centre)
• Bar staff
• Prison officer
• Management (private sector)
• Clerical and admin
• Police
• Teaching assistant

Psychological health

• Social services, providing care
• Teachers
• Fire brigade
• Ambulance
• Vets
• Lecturers
• Clerical and admin
• Management (private sector)
• Prison officer
• Research (academic)

Equal opportunities for stress sufferers

Because of equal opportunities legislation, anyone suffering from a mental illness such as stress should have suitable adjustments made to their work situation to enable them to cope in the same way as practical considerations have to be made for people with a physical disablement.

Specialist medical help should be sought if necessary in order to help the person's short-term and long-term recovery. A responsible employer will have a mental health policy in recognition of the importance of maintaining the well-being of employees.

It is in an employer's best interests to protect the mental health of staff and there should be no resistance to requests for help, time off or changes in working practices, however, difficulties do arise and, because of the effects of stress, a sufferer is often unable to help himself so is more likely to need support from colleagues, trades unions and friends or family.

We can help you claim compensation for work-related stress 

Our dedicated solicitors have years of experience dealing with work-related illness cases and will be able to advise on the merits of bringing a claim against the employer if its actions or inactions could be judged liable to have created the stress or made it worse.

This type of mental condition can last for a number of years, requiring specific medication and treatment and could lead to substantial loss of earnings as a result, for which compensation may be appropriate.

Get in touch today on 0800 10 757 95 or fill in an online enquiry form to see if you have an eligible stress-related injury claim.