Small
businesses need to take action to protect themselves from compensation claims
for causing work-related stress, an employment lawyer has warned.
Mark
Thompson, legal team leader at Associa Employment Service, responding to the
HSE/Personnel Today research, said recent cases had seen employees successfully
claim up to £91,000 for work-related stress, with reports of some businesses
settling out of court for more than £200,000.
"Few
small businesses realise that it is every employer’s duty, by law, to make sure
staff are not made ill by their work. This includes illnesses brought on by
work-related stress. Employers who do not take stress seriously are leaving
themselves open to compensation claims."
The
firm has a checklist of 10 tips for small businesses looking to minimise
stress-related compensation claims.
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