| 08/03/2010 |
Warning issued to universities after employment stress payout |
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| Universities have been reminded that they must adhere to employment laws relating to stress after a case in which a man successfully claimed compensation against his employer. Mark Bannister, 49, worked at Staffordshire University as a programme manager, which meant that he was responsible for organising the courses of international students. However, when two colleagues left, Mr Bannister claimed that he was forced to work a 65-hour week to cover their duties, despite a previous history of depression and anxiety. Although he complained about the extra workload, the university is accused of doing nothing to prevent it, resulting in Mr Bannister going off on long-term sick leave. He decided to pursue a claim for compensation against Staffordshire University, alleging that it had not taken sufficient measures to ensure that staff were not overworked. The university denied the allegations, but has now agreed to a compensation payout of £110,000 in an out-of-court settlement. Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: "Universities should be warned that we will be coming down hard on any that follow Staffordshire's example in their treatment of Mr Bannister." Some 415,000 people believe they are experiencing workplace stress that is making them ill, according to WorkStress.net.  |
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