Stress can be positive when an employee has challenging work, accompanied by support and good management. Occupational Stress (or negative stress) is an adverse reaction to excessive pressure or demands placed upon an employee.

Employers have a duty both at common law and under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, to take reasonable care of their employees health.

Stress is on the rise with research from the Health and Safety Executive showing that up to half a million employees believe that work related stress is causing them to be ill.

Stress could be caused to an employee by poor working relationships, bullying, restricted social contact, lack of training, poor management, discrimination, inconsistent and changing management, lack of job security, as well as the lack of control over pace and content of work.

Permanent physical and psychiatric damage can occur as a result of Occupational stress. Ultimately, this could lead to a personal injury claim.

An employer's failure to recognise or modify working conditions which an employee has indicated are stressful, can in some circumstances entitle the employee to resign and claim constructive dismissal.

A claim that your employer has caused you to suffer stress, which has resulted in physical or psychiatric injury is effectively a personal injury claim. These claims are generally brought in either the County Court or High Court except where an employee is alleging that discrimination has caused personal injury.

As an employee, you should be aware that if you feel that you are suffering from stress at work, you must first bring the matter to your employer's attention through the company's internal grievance procedure, before bringing a claim in the Employment Tribunal.

There are strict time limits for commencing claims in the Employment Tribunal and Courts.

If you believe you have a claim against your employer please complete our Free Online Assessment Form, now. We will then respond to you usually within 48 working hours, including a free, initial assessment of your claim.

Alternatively you can download the free initial assessment form and send it to net employment solicitors at the address on our contact page.