The work pressure in jobs has been adding up, making it challenging for employees. However, an increase in pressure to unimaginable levels leads to physical and emotional ailments. Some of the most popular job-related challenges are alcoholism, anxiety, and depression.
What’s even worse is that excessive workplaces stress leads to serious health issues. As per recent reports by Harvard and Stanford Business Schools, the problems stem from workplace stress like deteriorated mental health, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, which kill around 1,20,000 people in a year.
Health experts in Atlanta suggest no one should be subjected to a work environment that causes continued health decline. Thus, laws help you protect yourself from stress, and you can even sue your employer.
Read on to know the causes of job-related stress and how employment laws protect an employee.
What is Workplace Stress?
Workplace stress is defined as the physical and emotional response to a job. Know that stress occurs in situations when the employee has a lower amount of control over high employer demands.
Know that stress in a workplace may even be a result of isolated incidents or stressful events. Some of the most common causes include:
- An employee being laid off suddenly
- The employer may demand overtime work due to staff cutbacks
- Job redundancy
- Employer’s pressure of meeting rising expectations without a reciprocal in job satisfaction
- Lack of physical and emotional safety at work
- Stained co-worker relationships that cause workplace harassment or bullying
Job-related stress causes lack of motivation, absenteeism, depression, anxiety, alcoholism, or even death. These conditions come to sight in case of prolonged suffering.
What are the Ways to Handle Workplace Stress?
Professionals suggest speaking to your HR department or employer in case of adverse effects of workplace stress. The further remark that their assistance should be able to help you alleviate the needless stress.
For instance, you can ask for flexible working hours, decision-making duties, and better communications from the employer. Know that this open communication helps in setting clear expectations.
Is it Possible to Sue the Employer for Workplace Stress?
Under the employment laws, workers can find protection from harassment, undue stress, negligence, and unsafe working environments.
Thereby, the atlanta personal injury attorney exclaims upon your right to sue your employer for workplace stress. You can take your work-induced claim to the worker’s compensation system in case of ordinary workplace incidents like extended hours or difficult co-workers. However, if the reason behind stress is harassment or discrimination, you can file a claim under federal or state law.
It is vital to check your employer’s workplace bullying policy if the stress is due to bullying. Know that this bullying can be unlawful, mainly when harassment is based on protected characteristics. Some of the most common reasons for bullying are age, disability, religion, race, or gender.
The Verdict
It is worthwhile speaking to an employer or HR department about a stressful working environment. Nevertheless, if there is no action for alleviating job-related stress, relying on a personal injury attorney in Atlanta can be your best bet.
