Stressed at Work? Can’t Comply with your Duties? You may be in good Company

Stressed at Work? Can’t Comply with your Duties? You may be in good Company


Stress can be a serious problem both for employers and employees and is indiscriminate as the level of person who can be affected. Two years ago, the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, Antonio Horta-Osorio had to take time off from work. Today, the Financial Times is reporting that Sir Hector Sants who was brought in as Head of Compliance and Government and Regulatory Relation last year, is now taking three months’ leave of absence because of “exhaustion and stress”. Sir Hector Sants is no stranger to high profile or senior positions as he was the former head of the UK financial regulator (the Financial Services Authority as it then was) possibly at one of the most stressful times possible.

These are stressful times and it is notable that the number of stressed employees increases during downturns and at times of financial hardship. Whilst recent economic news has been more positive, employers would do well to remember that dealing with stressed employees appropriately is still important as otherwise it can give rise to time consuming and costly litigation as well as badly affecting morale in the workplace.