The stages of a work-related stress claim 

Stress at work is a leading cause of sickness absence in the UK, yet many people don’t realise something is wrong until the situation has already taken a serious toll on their health. If work-related stress has caused a psychiatric illness such as anxiety or depression, understanding the process from recognition to making a legal claim can be the first step to getting the support you deserve. 

Whether you are just beginning to notice the effects of workplace pressure or are already signed off sick, knowing what lies ahead can help you make informed decisions at every turn. Click the headings below to find out more information about each stage.

Stage 1: Work-Related Stress: Early Signs, Causes and What to Do

Stress at work rarely begins with a single incident. More often, it develops gradually through overwork, conflict, exposure to difficult situations, or a lack of support. Recognising the early signs can help you understand what is happening and decide what steps, if any, to take next. 

Stage 2: Making Your Situation Visible: How to Report Stress in the Workplace

Once you let your workplace know about your stress, they are expected to respond. The early steps they take can stabilise the situation or put you in a stronger position if matters progress. 

Stage 3: An Employers Duty of Care: What Your Employer Must Do Once They Know About Your Workplace Stress

Once they know about your workplace stress, and risk of injury because of it, your employer’s role shifts from awareness to action. The key question is no longer whether a problem exists, but how they respond to it. 

Stage 4: Deterioration, Absence and Recovery: A Guide to Taking Time Off Work for Stress

This stage marks the point where workplace stress has affected your health and recovery becomes the priority. The focus shifts from prevention to stabilisation, understanding your options and deciding what happens next, whether that is returning to work, seeking clarity or considering a longer-term change. 

Stage 5: Legal Strategy After Workplace Stress: How Work Related Stress Claims Work

Early legal decisions can affect not just whether a claim succeeds, but whether it’s possible at all. This section explains the key differences between Tribunal and civil routes, how damages and costs work, and why timing and advice matter before taking formal steps.   

Stage 6: Litigation and Preparing for Trial: What to Expect From a Workplace Stress Claim

The marathon. This involves navigating the formal process of disclosure, witness statements and independent medical evaluations with a team of experts by your side. 

Stage 7: Aftermath and Recovery: Life After Workplace Stress and What Comes Next

In the aftermath of your claim, you can begin to reclaim your professional identity and learn to use the experience as an early warning system for a healthier future. 

What should I do if I’m suffering from stress at work? 

Are you suffering from ill health due to stress at work and believe you may have a claim? It can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team has extensive experience helping people who have experienced psychiatric harm due to stress at work.

How can Setfords help?

David Miers is a consultant solicitor specialising exclusively in work-related stress and psychiatric injury claims. He is based in Liverpool but can represent clients nationwide on a fully remote basis. He joined Setfords in 2019 and previously led the Work-Related Stress team at Slater u0026 Gordon after training at Weightmans.

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