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It is well known that employee stress can lead to illness and absences and sometimes to employee claims including disputes regarding sick pay, constructive dismissal and even personal injury disputes. It is also well known that prevention is better than cure. A recent Mercer report states that four out of five Irish employees say their stress levels are on the rise – see link below. Many employers now have preventative measures in place such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to help reduce the risk of legal liability caused by employee stress. An EAP is a confidential, employer sponsored programme that offers confidential services to employees suffering from stress. Such programmes are generally tailored for the particular employer but often take the form of a helpline and sometimes face-to-face counselling services from external experts. The existence or otherwise of an EAP for employees can be a factor in a Court or Tribunal determining employer liability in such employee claims. The Mercer report suggests that advice on issues such as retirement and financial planning as part of overall services to employees may also help alleviate employee stress.
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