Employment law - grievance - duty of care - extreme work stress

[deepest]

I have been working full time with a large global company in a Sr position for the last 11 months (before that I worked as a consultant to them for over 15 years). There has been a major issue around my role clarity, increased volume of work load, reporting line clarity and harrassment from a previous line manager since the start of this year when a new remit for my role was put in place. I have brought this to the attention of my line manager many times who has not actioned anything and it has caused me considerable and increasing stress resulting in me trying to work from 5am in the morning, thru my holidays and late into the night to cope with the work load. The harrassment escalated and my current manager finally went to talk with the old line manager in May - after 5 months of stress - and this has now improved. However by this point I became so exhausted and emotional that I took two weeks time out to recover (using annual leave). On my return to work this week my current boss has taken me aside and put me on an official 4 week performance review. I have not dropped any balls but am aware that the delivery of my work of the last few months has been less that slick due to the intense pressure I have been under.
I have seen my GP 3 times in tha last 6 weeks as my head has turned to spaghetti. I have been put on ADs and offered counselling. I did not want to be signed off sick for stress due to pride. I dont know what to do now. I want to leave but do not want to be sacked. I feel that my boss/company did not act to support/protect my mental well being and when this became eroded (due to work pressure) have now pushed the thumb screws even tighter. Is this unfair? If I issue a grievance what will happen ? -- my boss will hate me, she will win the process and the situation will be untenable.

As a miniumum, go back to your boss and say that you wish to document the start of the performance review by saying that the key reason for your recent less than stellar performance has been due to stress caused by .....then outline the issues. Insist that that is documented.

Thanks - I have since resigned as I felt that issuing a performance review was the lost straw.

I have lost all confidence and trust in my boss to deal directly with and protect me from, very difficult manager, reduce/support my work load and have any respect for the impact on my health as the situation escalated and my the role is untenable. I noted the reasons in my resignation letter.

This is obviously the first time my LM has had to share my situation as I see it with anyone else - ie her LM and HR.

Since my resignation letter she has referred me to our occupational health dept for an assessment - I think to cover company, rather than any concern for my health - and HR have responed to my resignation letter asking me if I plan to issue a grievance due the reasons for my resignation.