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One in five people in the UK suffers from work related stress, with half a million people reporting they have become ill as a result. Typical causes include poor communication between colleagues, skills not matching those that are needed for the job, and the demands of work exceeding the employee’s ability to cope. Stress is a state rather than an illness but when it becomes too excessive or goes on for too long, it can cause mental and physical illness, sometimes culminating in a disability.
Work related stress falls under health and safety legislation, so your employer has a duty to ensure that they deal with any situations raised by you that are related to work-related stress. The way they tackle it depends on the kind of stress you are suffering from. For instance,if you are not sure of your role at work, they should make time to clarify what is expected of you, or if you feel you don't have enough control over your work, they should consider giving you more decision-making rights.
Stress may also be caused by bullying in the workplace. If the bullying is classed as sexual (including your sexuality), religious or racial harassment, or is linked to your age or disability, you have rights under sex, race, age or disability legislation. Also, if you have a disability which makes it harder for you to deal with issues, or more prone to suffering stress (eg depression), they have a duty to make certain adjustments to help you.
It is always advisable to raise a grievance relating to what you believe is causing your stress, and if the issue can’t be resolved through the grievance procedure, you may reach the point where your view is that your position has become untenable, thereby giving you a potential claim for constructive dismissal if you consequently leave your job.
If you believe you are suffering from workplace stress, Ashby Cohen can help you. We specialise in employment law cases, and our years of experience as employment lawyers make us uniquely qualified to assist you with any stress in the workplace issues you may have. Please contact us for an initial free consultation.
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