This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Your employer has a legal duty to look after your mental welfare, as well as your physical health. However, your employer would usually be entitled to assume that you can cope with the normal day to day pressures of your job.
If, for any reason, you feel that you are becoming stressed about your work, perhaps because there has been an increase in your workload, it is very important that you tell your employer. This will give them an opportunity to do something about it. It is particularly important to do this if you need to take sick leave because of stress.
If your employer does not do enough to reduce the stress you are under at work, you may have the right to take legal action against them. For example, if you suffer a stress-related mental illness because of your work, you may be entitled to compensation from your employer.
If you think your employer is not doing enough to reduce the stress you are under at work, you should think about taking legal advice. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help you find a legal expert who can help you. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by e-mail, click on nearest CAB.
You can find more information about stress at work at www.workstress.net.
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