Articles
Stress At Work – An Employers Obligations
It has been reported that as many as one in five UK workers consider that they are affected by stress at work making this the second biggest cause of work-related illness. It must follow, therefore, that taking steps to reduce and prevent stress for the workforce can save an employer money lost through absence.
More worryingly, claims for psychiatric injury arising from stress at work are considered by the courts in accordance with the ordinary principles of an employer’s liability. In recent cases employees have been granted damages from their employer for psychiatric illness caused by stress at work. According to Health and Safety regulations, it is the duty of all employers to ensure their employees are not made ill by their work. Where stress could lead to ill health, employers must assess the risk as follows
• Look for pressures at work which could cause high levels of stress
• Decide who might be harmed by these
• Decide whether you are doing enough to prevent that harm
It is not enough to rely on employees to identify and manage their own stress. Employers must be seen to take reasonable steps to deal with stress and it’s effects perhaps by providing counselling and reorganising workloads and work environment.