Managing work place stress

Easton V B&Q plc

The Claimant was a manager of a supermarket. He was very successful. However, he became ill through occupational stress and alleged this was due to the negligence and/or breach of statutory duty on the part of B&Q. A significant plank of Mr Easton's case was the lack of risk assessment by the employer in relation to stress.

Mr Easton was away from work with depression for about five months and received medication and therapy. When he returned it was on a phased basis at a store nearer his home address which was less busy than the store he previously managed. In the end though, this did not work out and he was recertified as unfit for work due to depression, and launched a claim.

Ultimately it was found that an employer has no general obligation to make searching or intrusive enquiries and may take at face value what an employee tells him. In particular, an employee who returns to work after a period of sickness without qualification is usually implying that he believes himself to be fit to return to the work he was doing before. The foreseeability threshold in stress claims is therefore high.

On the facts of the case Mr Easton's claim failed at the first hurdle 'foreseeability' in respect of his first breakdown. This was because of his long managerial career in charge of large retail outlets with no psychiatric history. As to the relapse suffered by Mr Easton, B&Q clearly now knew he had suffered a psychiatric illness but the fact he was still taking medication was not determinative as to how his employment should have been handled. There are many people holding down demanding jobs who still require medication. On the facts, given the high standard of proof required, the relapse was also not foreseeable by the employer.

There remained the issue of the lack of a general risk assessment. B&Q had a document about managing stress, inviting individuals to identify and notify the employer of any symptoms concerned. The trial Judge was of the opinion that Mr Easton had made insufficient efforts to do this and therefore concluded that, on the facts of the particular case, a wider risk assessment would have had no effect on the outcome.

Ultimately it is important that employers after the mental health of their employees. It is good for business, good for the economy and good for society. Employees must also look after their mental health including using established processes for raising concerns and seeking help as required. Effective management of people involves two-way communication.

This article is for general guidance only. It provides useful information in a concise form. Action should not be taken without obtaining specific legal advice.