What is Work Related Stress?

If you feel your job has put unhealthy stress on you, and your employer has done nothing to protect your health, then you may be eligible for work related stress claims. In this article we discuss what you can claim and how to go about it, plus potential work related stress compensation. To chat with on of our trained professionals, free of charge, please fill in the form to the right and we will contact you to help you work out if and what you can claim.

Stress is an unseen force that can affect every system in the human body.  The clinical definition of stress is that stress is the complete reaction of a person or creature to the environmental or pressures, demands or expectations that are produced within that environment.

This means that physical and mental manifestations (complete reaction) of symptoms, disease, and psychosis can be induced through pressures that are experienced in an environment.  The signs and symptoms of many diseases and psychosis can manifest through stress.  Employees who suffer from stress at work are usually can file work related stress claims.

Work related stress occurs from many different reasons.  Sometimes the stress of a work-load may cause undue stress on an employee.  Sometimes stress is brought about because of conflict.  Conflict between a supervisor and an employee or from conflict between employees.  Stress can also be brought on be physical, and environmental issues, such as working in a building that is too hot or too cold.  Environmental toxins can also induce symptoms of stress.  It is difficult to be a happy employee if you do not feel well.

Because stress can affect every system of the body, the signs and symptoms of stress must be looked for.  Managers who supervise multiple people should be aware of sudden changes in personality, appearance, and behaviors of each of their employees.  Managers must also make sure that conflict between employees is resolved quickly and professionally.  Managers must also make sure that employee disciplining be handled tactfully and without hostility.

What Causes Work Related Stress?

There are many different causes for work related stress.  Employers are responsible to making sure that stress in the workplace is kept to a minimum.  Demands of the employee can be a cause of stress.  How the employee is able to control their work load, can both cause stress or reduce stress.  If the employee has no control over their work load, then the stress level will go up.  If the employe is able to control how they work, when they work and what they work on the level of stress is likely to go down.  Support is another area that can magnify or reduce stress.

If the employee has support both in terms of information, support from coworkers, and support from management they likely suffer less stress than employees who do not have adequate support. Relationships can be a major source of stress in the workplace.  Positive relationships between the employee and coworkers and between the employee and management are beneficial for lowering stress.  When relationships are not beneficial or when there is work place hostilities the stress level of employees rise.  Job Function is another hot item in triggering stress.

If the employee understands their job function, and what their responsibilities are, then they usually have less stress, than employees who do not have a clear understanding of what is expected from them.  Change is something that many people fear.  Change can cause the stress levels of workers to rise significantly.  How managers handle change can directly affect the stress levels of employees. Change that is handled poorly will cause stress levels to rise.  Change that is handled through training and education tend to lower the stress levels of employees.

What is important to remember about environments is that they are usually created.  Sometimes they are created through poor management and sometimes they are created through circumstance.  Regardless of how they are created, when an employee suffers because of their work environment, it is the responsibility of the employer to fix the situation.  Fixing the situation means evaluating and adjusting demand, control, and support mechanisms within the working environment.  Fixing a high-stress situation means ensuring that working relationships are positive, that the employee understands their role and what is expected of them, and that is if change is involved, that it is introduced through education and training.

Can to Make Work Related Stress Claims?

Filing work related stress claims is sometimes difficult.  It is important that the history that led up to the stress related injury be documented.  If you feel that you suffer or have suffered from work related stress, then it is critically important that you discuss your case with a claim solicitor.  A claim solicitor is a legal professional who can guide you to make a responsible decision.  Work related stress claims are harder to prove but with the right resources and advice a claim for work related stress can be filed.  If you would like to contact a claim solicitor, who is experienced in dealing with work related stress compensation, then fill out the demographic box to the right of this article. A qualified legal professional will contact you about your case.

How Much Work Related Compensation Can I Get?

Work related stress compensation varies from claim to claim.  A great deal depends on how the symptoms manifest themselves.  Unusual and difficult to manage symptoms can lead to higher the award.  Awards can be in the high tens of thousands of pounds.  It is nearly impossible to summarize a compensation table for stress claims.  Talking with a claims solicitor is a good way to estimate how much a specific claim may be worth.  It is also important to note the difference between filing a claim and winning an award.

Stress is nothing to take lightly.  We all experience stress in our day to day actions.  Some stress is normal, but when work related stress evolves into physical and psychological symptoms it is then past time to take action.  Speak to a claims solicitor if you have questions about the work relates stress claims process.