A stress at work settlement was reached at a five-figure sum for a Setfords client.

The client commenced working for his employer in November 2018 as a Maintenance Assistant, and in March 2019, he was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor.

In 2019, two managers started to bully our client. This led to our client becoming unwell and taking time off work due to the stress and anxiety. Our client submitted a grievance to HR due to stress at work. Three points were upheld with recommendations being made.

However, our client’s health continued to decline and he was formally diagnosed with ‘Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder’ and a sick note for sciatica.

Upon his return to work, the two managers began to bully our client again, despite points in his first grievance being upheld. One incident led to our client injuring his ankle and requiring medical treatment due to falling down the staircase after being subjected to violent and aggressive verbal abuse.

Our client was signed off work due to these injuries, returning to work on restricted duties. Despite this, one of the managers still made our client carry out work that went against these restrictions.

Our client submitted a second grievance in February 2023, detailing the bullying he had been subjected to since January 2020. However, this grievance was put on hold when the premises suddenly closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Our client was signed off work until 9^th March 2020 and took annual leave until 19^th March. He returned to work for a short period but was fearful of further bullying. He was then placed on furlough leave due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

The client approached Setfords to assist in his claim in February 2020. Court proceedings were issued on 9^th August 2020. A letter of response was received on 26^th August 2020 and liability was denied. The stress at work settlement claim was ultimately settled by Part 36 offer on 10^th August 2022 for a five-figure sum.