£138,000 payout over stress case

A Worcs tax man who claimed he suffered severe stress and depression at work is to receive £138,000 in compensation.

Stephen Mellor, 58, from Malvern, took several months off from his post as a senior manager at the HM Customs & Excise VAT office in Droitwich.

However he said his responsibilities increased significantly on his return.

HM Revenue & Customs said it wanted to support staff and would review the circumstances leading to claims against it to ensure lessons were learned.

Mr Mellor said he had asked for compulsory early retirement, but this was refused and he was given further responsibilities.

Instead of earning a good salary, Mr Mellor now finds himself dependant on a medical pension, which is simply not enough Adam Wilson, solicitor

Mr Mellor, whose action was supported by the Public & Commercial Services Union, is now medically retired.

HM Customs & Excise agreed to pay the out-of-court settlement in compensation for the injuries he suffered and the loss of income.

Mr Mellow told BBC News: "It was a combination of things, a variety of confrontations from various sources.

"My psychotherapist said 'Anybody would have cracked under that sort of pressure'."

His solicitor, Adam Wilson from law firm Russell Jones & Walker, said: "He has suffered significant financial loss as a result.

"Instead of earning a good salary, Mr Mellor now finds himself dependant on a medical pension, which is simply not enough to sustain him."

In a statement, Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said: "HMRC wishes to give as much support as possible to our staff and we review the circumstances leading to claims against the organisation to ensure we learn from them and where appropriate, change our policies and processes to reflect good employment practice."