Stress is a vague word that can be defined in many ways. A person may experience stress due to excessive workload or mental pressure. Stress and strain are often involved in our daily lives. If it becomes severe, stress can affect a person’s physical or mental health. In such a situation, most people quit their jobs to get rid of the stress. They don’t realize that they can get compensation for their suffering.
UK law encourages employees to seek compensation for excessive workload or work stress. If you are undergoing strain or trauma due to workload, you can sue your employer. Employees can file a compensation claim against their employees.
What Is Work Stress or Workload?
It is not easy to define work stress clearly. It’s a vague description that varies from person to person according to situations. Workload or work stress depends on the concept of personal injury. Under UK law, physical health and psychological health are treated equally. Hence, any damage to psychological health is considered a personal injury.
Can You Get Compensation for Workload?
You can contact personal injury lawyers to file a claim against your company. The court may reward you with recommencing if it is proven that you were deliberately put under workload or stress. However, the responsibilities lie on you to prove to the court that your employer failed to fulfill his/her duties.
The claimant has to prove that his/her employer was aware of the situation. Also, you have to prove that workload or work stress has affected your health. Health problems caused by workload can be used as evidence in the court.
Stress-Related Health Problems
There are different health issues that can arise due to workload. Excessive workload or uncomfortable working conditions may lead to severe stress. Below are some health problems that are associated with the workload.
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Lack of sleep
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
Stress may cause serious physiological problems and have serious consequences.
Causes of Stress-Related Health Problems
There are some typical working conditions that may lead to stress. Below are some of the most common causes that give birth to stress-related health issues.
- Excessive Workload
- Denial of employee rights
- Bullying
- Lack of support
- Harassment
- Discrimination (gender and/or ethnic)
- Favoritism
- Intimidation (behavioral or verbal)
Though employers are not involved in most of these cases, they have to play their part. It is their responsibility to ensure that every employee gets a peaceful environment to work.
Employer’s Role to Reduce Stress
UK law binds the employer to take care of their employees’ health. This is called ‘duty of care’ towards the well-being of employees. Every employer has to prevent stress-related medical issues. Employers have to make sure that their staff isn’t working under stressful conditions. They have to ensure that the staff is receiving necessary guidance, support, training, and assistance.
In case an employer fails to do so, they can be held liable. They have to pay the recompense amount if an employee decided to peruse a compensation claim for the workload.
Bottom Line
Employees suffering from work stress can receive compensation under personal injury. However, such a claim heavily depends on psychological illness. Also, you have to prove to the court that the workload has affected your life and health. For this, you need a medical diagnosis from a certified doctor. You also have to prove that the employer was aware of the situation but he/she failed to take necessary actions.
My name is Phoebe Lambert and i am an experienced social media manager in Nextgen Media Ltd and guides you about social media, media management related topics.