
Stress at Work Claims
Did you know that stress is the biggest cause of work-related ill health in the UK?
The HSE defines stress as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them’. A small amount of stress can be a positive thing, but if stress manifests itself into something more clinical such as a psychiatric disorder like anxiety or depression, the consequences can be devastating.
Contributors to workplace stress can include:
- Bullying and harassment
- Violence at work
- Sexual harassment
- Being overworked
- Exposure to trauma
- Lack of support
- Poor management
If you believe that you have experienced ill health due to stress at work, you may be able to make a claim. Setfords’ solicitors specialise in work related stress claims. Learn more below.
1 minute stress claim survey
If you feel that you are suffering from work related stress, take our one-minute survey to see if you can make a claim against your employer.
Stress at Work Claims: Areas of Specialism
How exactly can our solicitors help with claims for stress at work? See our main specialisms below.
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Stress at work claims
Stress at work claims
Employers are legally required to provide a safe working environment. This includes taking appropriate measures to protect their employees from harm, which stress at work falls under. If you are suffering from stress at work, and your employer has done nothing to rectify the situation, you may be able to claim.
Many things can contribute to stress at work, including being overworked, poor management, a lack of support, exposure to trauma, and more.
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Bullying and harassment claims
Bullying and harassment claims
Being bullied or harassed at work is a hugely unpleasant situation that can lead to many different consequences, including stress at work.
According to UK law, bullying is not against the law, but harassment is. Under the Equality Act 2010, harassment due to protected characteristics (such as age, gender, race, sexual orientation, and more) is illegal. If you have been a victim, you may be eligible to claim.
Even if the bullying is not because of a protected characteristic, if it leads to other issues such as constructive dismissal, you might still be able to claim.
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Violence at work claims
Violence at work claims
Being subject to violence at work, whether from a colleague, customer, or someone else, is never okay. This can not only lead to physical injuries, but mental ones too, including stress.
If you have experienced violence at work and your employer did not take sufficient steps to protect you from harm, our solicitors may be able to assist you in claims for stress at work.
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Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Suffering from sexual harassment at work is very distressing. If you have experienced this, you may be able to claim not only against the person who sexually harassed you, but also against your employer if they did not take reasonable steps to protect you.
Confidentially speak to our lawyers today to discuss how they may be able to assist you in making a claim.
Stress at work claims
Employers are legally required to provide a safe working environment. This includes taking appropriate measures to protect their employees from harm, which stress at work falls under. If you are suffering from stress at work, and your employer has done nothing to rectify the situation, you may be able to claim.
Many things can contribute to stress at work, including being overworked, poor management, a lack of support, exposure to trauma, and more.
Bullying and harassment claims
Being bullied or harassed at work is a hugely unpleasant situation that can lead to many different consequences, including stress at work.
According to UK law, bullying is not against the law, but harassment is. Under the Equality Act 2010, harassment due to protected characteristics (such as age, gender, race, sexual orientation, and more) is illegal. If you have been a victim, you may be eligible to claim.
Even if the bullying is not because of a protected characteristic, if it leads to other issues such as constructive dismissal, you might still be able to claim.
Violence at work claims
Being subject to violence at work, whether from a colleague, customer, or someone else, is never okay. This can not only lead to physical injuries, but mental ones too, including stress.
If you have experienced violence at work and your employer did not take sufficient steps to protect you from harm, our solicitors may be able to assist you in claims for stress at work.
Sexual harassment
Suffering from sexual harassment at work is very distressing. If you have experienced this, you may be able to claim not only against the person who sexually harassed you, but also against your employer if they did not take reasonable steps to protect you.
Confidentially speak to our lawyers today to discuss how they may be able to assist you in making a claim.
Setfords’ approach to stress at work claims
Setfords’ solicitors are some of the most experienced in this area in the UK. We will use our expertise to give you the advice you need at what is a distressing time.
We’re different from other law firms — all of our lawyers are experienced professionals, so you’ll never receive legal advice from an unskilled junior.
What’s more, our unique support structure guarantees that our lawyers focus fully on their clients, and not internal billing targets or office administration. As a result, you’ll get a bespoke, high class legal stress at work claims service from lawyers who are passionate about assisting their clients.
Stress at work solicitors
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David Miers
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Stress at work claims FAQs
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How much can I claim for stress at work in the UK?
The amount of compensation you can expect to receive is dependent on your circumstances. No work related stress claim is the same, which makes comparisons with other claimants tricky. However, for each claim, we will assess the following to determine the value of your claim:
- Compensation for your injury (general damages)
- Any financial losses, past or future, incurred as a result of your injury (special damages)
Typical damages tend to range from up to £5000 for less severe claims, to £100,000+ for more severe cases.
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How do you prove stress at work?
Proving claims for stress at work can be complex, and typically require handling by an experienced solicitor. To give your case the best chance of success, it’s vital to make sure you are collecting and preserving as much evidence as possible. You should also ensure to raise a grievance with your employer as soon as possible, so they know that you are feeling stressed at work and can take steps to support you and prevent the issue from getting worse.
You can find out more about the process of proving stress at work by clicking here.
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What are my rights with work related stress?
As an employee, you have several rights when it comes to work related stress, and your employer has responsibilities to protect you. For example:
- Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees, including assessing and managing the risks associated with work related stress.
- If an employee is experiencing work related stress due to a disability, their employer must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate their needs, such as adjusting working hours, providing support, or modifying tasks to reduce stress.
- Employees are protected against discrimination and harassment, including that related to stress. If stress is caused by discrimination or harassment, employees have the right to take legal action.
- If an employee believes that work-related stress isn’t being managed adequately, they have the right to raise a formal grievance with their employer, who is expected to handle the grievance in a fair and timely manner.
- Employers should provide appropriate support and resources to help prevent and manage work-related stress.
This list isn’t exhaustive. If you feel that your rights have not been met at work or your employer hasn’t carried out their duties, our solicitors can assist with stress at work claims.
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Can I be dismissed while off sick with stress?
It is possible to be dismissed from your employment while off sick with stress, if it makes it impossible for you to do your job. However, before doing so, your employer must look into ways they can support you, including considering whether it is actually the job that is making you sick, and so changes could be made. They must also give you a reasonable amount of time to recover from the stress.
If you feel that you may have been dismissed unfairly, our solicitors specialise in work related stress claims and therefore may be able to assist.
Stress at work claims related articles
Next steps
If you feel that that you are suffering from work related stress or have been bullied or harassed in the workplace, complete the survey below to find out if you have a potential claim.
Speak to a Stress at work claims Solicitor on 0330 828 4863
3 Easy Steps To Getting Started
At Setfords our service is designed for your peace of mind. With highly qualified legal professionals at hand, our process will keep you updated every step of the way.
1. Call or complete our simple enquiry form
2. Our team will contact you to discuss your matter
3. Instruct for same-day file setup