Significant Damages Award For Bullied Employee
A city worker who suffered harassment from colleagues and a lack of support from bosses has been awarded £800,000 in a High Court hearing recently.
Helen Green sued her former employers, Deutsche Bank Group Service (UK) Ltd after what Mr Justice Owen described as "a relentless campaign of mean and spiteful behaviour designed to cause her distress." There were a series of incidents which compounded her misery including name calling, being removed from circulation lists, the hiding of her papers and post and even, at times, totally ignoring her. It was her colleagues as well as her superiors who were at fault.
Occupational stress cases, such as this, can be notoriously difficult to successfully litigate. Previous cases have resulted in a number of recognised guidelines that a court will consider when looking at the merits of an occupational stress claim. One possible obstacle for Claimants to overcome was where employers have offered counselling or stress management programmes. In this case, Helen Green did receive stress counselling, which was paid for by her employers, however she suffered a relapse in spite of this.
The impact of this decision may make it easier for victims of harassment and bullying to bring a claim, provided they can prove the harm they suffered was foreseeable.
Metcalfes have successfully acted for occupational stress Claimants and recently won at trial.
We can also offer advice to employers to guard against the potential implications that this decision may have in the workplace.
Contact Judith Ellery jellery@metcalfes.co.uk, Angelina Rigby arigby@metcalfes.co.uk or Bethan Southcombe bsouthcombe@metcalfes.co.uk for more information
This press release summarises the law on issues which we believe may be of interest to your business. It is not a comprehensive review of the subjects and accordingly is published without responsibility for loss occasioned to any person(s) acting or refraining from action as a result of information published