Stress case shows new workplace safety change not needed

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Stress case shows new workplace safety change not needed

An Appeal Court ruling released today raises questions over new workplace safety proposals, says Business NZ.

The Appeal Court has agreed with the Employment Court that stress suffered by probation worker Christopher Gilbert could be sheeted home to his working environment.

“This case demonstrates that current health and safety law is already adequate to deal with cases where workplace stress is clearly a factor in harm suffered by an employee,” said Simon Carlaw, Chief Executive of Business NZ. 

“Including a specific reference to stress in proposed new workplace safety legislation is likely to encourage the same flood of litigation as was seen in the UK.  Interestingly, the English Court of Appeal has now acted to limit that flood.”