Employers not expecting flood of stress claims

Courts are unlikely to be inundated with workers seeking payouts for stress after the conviction of a company for failing to provide a safe working environment, employer and mental health groups say.

They say most employers take the issue of workplace stress seriously and any person claiming work-related stress will have to provide evidence of a medical problem.

This week Nelson marine engineering firm Nalder and Biddle was the first company to be convicted under new laws, which require employers to provide a safe working environment. The Labour Department's Occupational Safety and Health charged the company after a woman staff member was diagnosed with depression and high blood pressure caused by work-related stress.

OSH national operations manager Mike Cosman said the mental and physical harm the woman suffered was the direct result of work pressures and poor organisation.

The company admitted the charge in the Nelson District Court and was fined $8000 and ordered to pay reparation of $1300 to the employee.

Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, the maximum fine is $250,000.

Mental Health Foundation acting chief executive Sue Turner said the decision showed the legislation had teeth but she did not believe there would be hundreds more cases.

The foundation had been encouraging employers to put preventive measures in place to reduce stress.

Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Paul Winter said employers would be analysing the decision but most took the issue seriously.

He did not expect an influx of employees claiming work-related stress.

Signs of stress

* Knotted stomach, sweating more, grinding your teeth.
* Headaches, worrying, always tired, difficulty sleeping.
* Difficulty concentrating and finding it hard to make decisions.
* Anxiety and tension for no reason.
* Loss of confidence.
(Source: Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand)

- additional reporting, NZPA