Sometimes it is expected that extra work is necessary to get through peak times. However, if you are routinely unable to disengage from your job to relax over Christmas or other social occasions, you may be overworked.
We live in an age where there never seems to be enough hours in a day to get things done. At certain times of the year this can be more apparent than others, such as the festive period.
Workloads and deadlines can be even more aggressive at this time of the year, as more items need picking, more parcels delivering, and projects, building sites, warehouses, offices and businesses small and large frantically prepare for the Christmas and new year breaks.
For some this can mean can mean piles of orders pouring in, multiple projects drawing to a close in the same week, or an endless stream of emails and phone calls as people put their holiday dates in and prepare to spend time with friends, family and loved ones over the festive period.
Staff shortfalls due to extra annual leave or sickness can compound these issues further, and depending on the circumstances it can become overwhelming and even more stressful than usual.
How do I know if I am being overworked?
Depending on your role, you may experience a number of things. These can include:
- Frequently doing overtime
- Regularly working during leisure time or on days off
- Excessive demands
- Inadequate number of staff to share the workload
- Unrealistic goals or deadlines
Over time, any or all of the above can negatively impact your physical or mental health and quality of life.
How do I know if I am feeling stressed by my workload?
There are several signs that you may be suffering from stress, but if it has been building up for a long time it can sometimes be difficult to notice. Symptoms of stress or burnout can include:
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty making decisions
- Inability to switch off outside of work
- Being irritable or short tempered
- Tearfulness
- Tiredness
- Low mood
- Disturbed sleep
- Change in appetite
- Avoiding social events
- Difficulty indulging in hobbies and interests
This is not an exhaustive list, and symptoms of stress can vary a lot between person to person. If you have any concerns that something isn’t right, it is best to speak to your GP.
What is my employer’s responsibility regarding excessive workload?
Your employer has a duty of care to ensure that you are safe and well whilst in the workplace. This includes having realistic and achievable workloads and the tools and training you need to perform tasks to the best of your ability.
If you are feeling stressed out or overworked and nothing is being done about it after you have made your employer aware, then they may be in breach of their duty of care.
For a free, no-obligation consultation on the likelihood you may be able to make a claim for compensation, contact our team of legal experts today on 0113 200 9720.
How can I manage stress during working hours?
There are a number of things you can do to manage stress within the workplace, such as:
- Identifying factors which cause the most stress
- Making lists and setting reminders
- Managing tasks in order of priority
- Sticking to a routine
- Taking regular breaks
- Seeking support from colleagues
- Being mindful of the amount of overtime done
- Eating and drinking properly
How can I manage stress outside of work?
Managing stress outside of work can be tricky in the age of smartphones and laptops, so it is important to be aware of work stress out of hours to prevent it creeping into your life too much. You could try:
- Strictly managing time spent working out of hours
- Socialising
- Eating healthily and exercising
- Maintaining a good sleeping routine and aiming for 7-8 hours a night
- Indulging in hobbies and finding time to relax
Can I take action against my employer over excessive workload and work-related stress?
Yes you can, though there are some steps you can take before doing so that will help to make things more straightforward. These are:
- Share your concerns with colleagues to see if they are able to help.
- If necessary, escalate the issue with your line manager or HR.
- If management or HR fails to acknowledge your problem or handles it unsatisfactorily, move to step 4.
- Collect evidence of the excessive workload and stress caused, such as noting down when requests for help were made, email and text conversations, doctors appointments, medication prescribed, counselling sessions, sickness days etc.
- If you feel that all other avenues have been exhausted, you may then wish to consult a Solicitor. Most will offer a free initial consultation with no obligation to proceed.
If you do consider taking legal action and the stress you have been feeling has been significant, it is advisable to discuss this possibility with your GP, who can help you decide whether you may feel up to doing so.
To succeed with a claim, you must legally prove that you have not only suffered workplace stress, but that the stress meets the clinical criteria for a recognised psychiatric condition.
Is there anyone I can talk to about stress?
Sharing your worries with friends, loved ones, colleagues or anyone you feel you can trust can be very helpful, as they may not know that anything is troubling you unless you reach out to them.
Your GP may be able to help and suggest time off, medication or counselling depending on the severity of your stress.
If you feel that you have nobody to turn to in person, there are many charities and organisations out there who can help, such as:
If things are very bad and you feel like you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, contact the emergency services on 999.
Why should I choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd to support me with my stress at work claim?
Claims for psychiatric injury arising from work-related stress is a very complex area of law. At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we have a dedicated and specialised team to help you.
With the majority of the team having a qualification in mental health (a TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems), we fully appreciate the difficulties those suffering from a mental health condition at work may face, particularly in the case of workplace stress.
Whether it’s an ongoing or historic issue, we are here to help and will carry out a free initial assessment with no obligation to take a claim forward.
Further reading
For more resources about stress and overwork, check out these links:
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you are being overworked and suffering from stress as a result, and your employer is being unhelpful or unsatisfactory in handling the issue, get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation in complete confidence.
Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help.
Jessica Rowson started as a Paralegal at Oakwood Solicitors in July 2010, qualifying as a Solicitor in September 2013. Following her qualifying as a Solicitor, Jessica established a niche department …
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