Stress Claims

[Rosebush2023]

Hi everyone,

I have a horrible dilemma. Would you tell your employer if a colleague was plotting to make a stress-related claim? The stress is not due to work and this person has always been emotional, but they have made it look that way in medical records.

Should I say nothing, and the claim would be covered by the insurance? Or are such claims a big deal and should I warn my employer so they can protect themselves?

It feels wrong to snitch and deny someone their payout, even if I am sure they are not entitled to it. But I have huge loyalty to my workplace...

Thanks!

Stay out of it.

@Piffpaffpoff Actually you're right. Warning the employer would help them a great deal but I would always be seen as a snitch and would see myself that way too....

I would stay out of it. Your employer will have approaches to investigate such a claim and whether it is valid. I usually avoid discussing other people’s mental health at work, esp any kind of diagnosis or judgment on cause and effect.

Only exception in my mind is if you have rock solid evidence that the person is planning to commit fraud in doing so. You would have to be very very certain that their stress is in no way caused or exacerbated by work, and that they are planning a deliberate fraud. Even then I would tread carefully.

Your other course would be rather than go in with accusations of plotting and fraud, to draw your manager’s attention to the fact the colleague has stresses outside work. Something like “I’m a bit concerned about X as I know they have a lot going on in their personal life which is causing a lot of stress, and may be affecting their work. I wanted to make you aware in case some extra support could be offered”. Make clear you’re not gossiping but just seeking to make sure your colleague is “supported”. It’s reasonable for an employer to offer accommodations for stress, even if it’s not caused by anything in the workplace

@Daffidale Thank you, that sounds very reasonable. I had no idea it was such a minefield! I might just stay out of for the moment and see how it develops.

I would keep out of it. That decision is somebody else's job to make.

Accusing someone of fraud is a really serious allegation to make.

I don't see how you could possibly have access to evidence to support such an allegation.

At best, wading in with baseless accusations of criminal conduct is going to make you look malicious.

Stay out of it.

And claims for stress are high on impossible to win - so they are likely burning a lot of bridges for next to nothing.

And if they think such a claim is easy, they'll soon find out what stress is!

Thank you so much for your advice. I have thankfully come to my senses. I can't believe I considered betraying a colleague's trust! I felt sorry for our boss, who is trusting, but as you all said, it's someone else's job to deal with.

Thanks @Neriah , I didn't know that. The person has been unwell for years and they are now trying to place the blame for it on a boss who has only been there a year, so it should be difficult for them to win...

100% stay out of it