How to Reduce the Risk of Work-Related Stress Claims - A Guide for Employment & HR Professionals

Introduction

In recent years stress has become the most common form of work-related illness.

Following COVID-19, many employees will have spent months working at home on their own without the usual level of support from their line managers and colleagues, and there has been a sharp rise in the number of people suffering from mental health issues as a result.

This new virtual classroom seminar will examine employers' legal obligations around employee health and wellbeing. Consideration will be given to how employers can identify and reduce work-related stress, the claims that can arise if stress is not managed effectively, and the steps employers can take to reduce the risks.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• What is work-related stress, and what causes it?
• What steps can employers take to reduce the causes of stress at work?
• How can employers identify work-related stress?
• How can employers support team members who are experiencing stress?
• What are employers' health and safety obligations in relation to employee wellbeing?
• When should employers carry out stress risk assessments and what do they involve?
• How bullying and illness arising from an excessive workload can lead to a negligence claim
• Are employers ever under a duty to dismiss an employee who is suffering from mental health issues for the employee's own good?
• When will a mental health issue amount to a disability, and when are reasonable adjustments required for mental health issues?
• When can an employer dismiss an employee who is on long-term sick leave because of mental health issues?
• A review of the factors that can lead to unfair dismissal and/or disability discrimination claim
• Consideration of recent case law
• Issues to consider when introducing a stress and wellbeing policy
• What steps can employers take to minimise the risk of claims?
• Case studies

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.