Stress at work is often dismissed as part of modern life, yet for many employees in England and Wales it becomes far more than a passing frustration. Long hours, relentless targets, or an unsupportive environment can tip the balance from ordinary pressure into genuine psychological harm. When anxiety, depression or burnout take hold, they are not simply “occupational hazards”; they can be life-changing injuries, and the law recognises them as such.
What Does the Law Say About Employer Duties?
Every employer carries a duty to protect not only the physical but also the mental wellbeing of their workforce. This duty stems from the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which obliges employers to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of staff. It is reinforced by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which require risk assessments to identify and control workplace hazards. Crucially, those hazards include stress.
Recent guidance has sharpened the focus even further. In 2025, regulators highlighted the importance of stress risk assessments in high-pressure industries such as healthcare, finance, and logistics. Employers are now expected to spot warning signs early, to monitor workloads and working hours, and to provide practical support such as occupational health services or mental health training. When those safeguards are absent, the consequences for employees can be devastating.
When Can Stress Lead to a Claim?
The law does not allow claims for “feeling stressed” in the everyday sense. To bring a successful case, you must show that the conditions at work caused or contributed to a recognised psychiatric injury, for example, clinical depression, generalised anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress. You must also show that your employer knew, or should reasonably have known, that the working environment was putting you at risk, and that they failed to act.
Courts have recognised claims in cases where employees have been crushed by impossible workloads, left unsupported in the face of bullying, or denied proper rest and recovery time. In each example the injury was preventable had the employer fulfilled their duty.
How We Can Help
At Ison Harrison we appreciate how daunting it feels to consider legal action when you are already struggling with the effects of stress. That is why we provide no win, no fee representation in appropriate cases. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all if your claim is unsuccessful. From the very start, our role is to ease the burden; gathering medical evidence, navigating the legal process, and pressing for the compensation you deserve. This may include damages for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, and the cost of treatment or counselling.
Why Choose Ison Harrison?
We have stood alongside thousands of clients across Yorkshire and beyond, helping them rebuild their lives after both physical and psychological injuries. Our team is Lexcel-accredited and highly experienced in this sensitive area of law. Just as importantly, we are approachable. Whether you come to see us in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield or any of our regional offices, you will find a team that listens first and advises second.
Take the First Step
If you are experiencing workplace stress and believe your employer has failed in their duty of care, you do not have to carry the weight alone. Compensation cannot undo what has happened, but it can provide the security and recognition you need to move forward.
Contact Ison Harrison today for a free consultation. Call us, visit your local office, or complete our online form and let us help you take the first step towards recovery.
