Can You Sue Your Job For Stress?
The workplace can be a stressful place and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times. But when work-related stress becomes too much, can you sue your job for damages?
For most people, the answer is no. While you’re entitled to a safe and stress-free workplace, suing your job for stress-related damages is almost impossible. That’s because proving that your workplace caused your stress would require extensive documentation.
Grounds For Successful Workplace Stress Claims
The only way to successfully sue your job for work-related stress is by showing that one or more of your rights have been violated. You may have a valid case if your boss or coworkers have:
- Discriminated against you – If you’ve been treated unfairly because of your race, sex, religion, age, national origin, or disability, you may have grounds to sue.
- Sexually harassed you – Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical sexual harassment are grounds for a lawsuit.
- Retaliated against you – If you’ve been subjected to unfair treatment, such as demotions or not being given a raise, in response to asserting your rights, you may be able to sue.
What You Should Do to Get Stress Relief
If the stress in your workplace is the result of day-to-day work activities and not the violation of one or more of your rights, then you may not be able to successfully sue your job.
Regardless, there are steps you can take to get relief from workplace stress. You should talk to your boss about your workload or look for ways to make your duties less stressful. You should also take breaks throughout the day to help reduce your stress levels. Taking up exercise or meditation could also help you cope with work-related stress.
In the end, if you believe your workplace stress is too much to handle or violates your rights, then you should speak to a lawyer or other legal professional to find out the best course of action.