A Staffordshire University worker who allegedly had to work up to 65 hours a week has received compensation due to stress. Although the University paid  £110,000 in compensation in an out-of-court settlement, it denies any liability. Mark Bannister, 49, worked as a programme manager at Staffordshire University where he was responsible for organising courses for international students. It is alleged that after a colleague committed suicide and another member of staff who had gone off on long term sick wasn’t replaced, Mr Bannister was given more and more work to deal with.

He also claimed he was under pressure from the growing number of overseas students that were enrolling at the university. He said it became normal for him to put in 65-hour weeks. Mr Bannister, who has a history of anxiety and depression, alleged that despite complaining about the excessive workload nothing was done to alleviate the pressure. He was signed off sick in September 2007, with a brief return to work before going off sick again. He contacted his union the University and College Union (UCU) which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation. Thompsons argued that the university should have taken adequate measures to ensure staff weren’t overworked.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Members of staff being forced to pick up colleagues’ work is a real worry in higher education at the moment with 15,000 jobs at risk. Universities should be warned that we will be coming down hard on any that follow Staffordshire’s example in their treatment of Mr Bannister.”

Warinder Juss from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Despite Staffordshire University being aware of Mr Bannister’s previous medical history and despite his complaints about the workload nothing was done to ensure he was coping. Stress cases are difficult to prove but here Mr Bannister was ignored and felt he had no choice but to work excessive hours and the damage to his health followed.”

However, a spokesperson for Staffordshire University told Workplace Law: ““The University disputes the information presented in this case.  The University does not accept any liability in this matter and our insurers reached an out-of-court settlement with Mr Bannister due to the cost of defending such allegations.”

University and College Union website