UK employers fear legal action from workforce

More
than 80 per cent of UK employers fear workers who have suffered workplace
stress, discrimination, or bullying could sue them.

A new
survey of 5,000 UK employers shows that 82 per cent feel vulnerable about a
worker suing them, with just 18 per cent of bosses saying "it would never
happen here" and feeling "no risk at all".

The
Work Stress Management survey also reveals that 64 per cent of employers
believe the threat of legal action from employees for workplace stress is
"a very important issue" for their business, with a further 28 per
cent saying it was "a fairly important issue".

But,
despite fears of litigation, a majority of employers – 66 per cent – do not
have any specific stress management policies in place.

Just
29 per cent of employers are aware of the new Court of Appeal guidance advising
that "employers who offer a confidential counselling and advice helpline
are unlikely to be sued for causing workplace stress".

By Quentin Reade

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