With rumours circulating in today's news that the chief executive of Lloyds banking group may not return to his position after suffering from stress and fatigue, Tayside's largest legal firm is warning stress can happen in any work place.
Noele McClelland, partner and head of the employment law team at Thorntons, explains that not all stress is bad, but when it starts affecting someone's heath, it needs to be taken seriously.
She said: "Stress is not all negative and can be good in terms of helping us to perform successfully, think about exam time or meeting an important deadline when the positive side of stress helped you to succeed. However when it starts to affect a person's health and well-being it needs to be addressed.
"Stress can affect us all from the managing director down to the office assistant. Employers owe a duty of care to their employees and therefore it is important that businesses put in place safeguards to help identify those employees who may be suffering from stress in the workplace and take steps to alleviate the stress and support them.
"The HSE has information on stress in the workplace and highlights the importance of carrying out a stress risk assessment to identify employees in particular roles that may be at risk or where they may in fact be suffering from stress. They identify 6 key areas which can be the main areas for stress at work ranging from workplace demands through to relationships and organisational change. By carrying out an assessment and putting in place Management Standards a business can identify risk areas and create a healthier working environment for their employees."
A number of factors can cause stress, for example deadlines, working relationships and bullying in the workplace. Whatever the reason, it must be identified and steps taken to resolve the issues.
Noele added: "Steps may include access to a confidential counselling helpline, referral to occupational health, a mentor within the workplace that the employee can speak to as well taking steps to address the underlying problem.
"The effects of stress are not just on the employee but affect productivity with greater absence problems, poor concentration which can affect the quality and accuracy of work, and potentially claims against the employer both in the employment tribunal for constructive unfair dismissal and in some circumstances disability discrimination, and claims for personal injury."
Lloyds is facing pressure from the government to replace chief executive, Antonio Horta-Osorio, who may not return to work after being forced to take time off due to stress and fatigue last week. Chairman Sir Win Bischoff and non-executive director Glen Moreno have been sounded out as the most suitable candidates to take over as they will be able to provide stability to the bank.
November 2011
Issued by Beattie Communications on behalf of Thorntons Solicitors.
Contact: Jennifer Black, Tel 01698 787878