A warning has been given to public liability insurance holders about the dangers of stress in the workplace, after a Staffordshire University employee was awarded £110,000 in compensation.
Mark Bannister, 49, a programme manager, reached an out-of-court agreement for the sum, even though the university denied any liability.
He claimed that working an alleged 65-hour week exposed him to high levels of stress and damaged his health.
Mr Bannister, who has a history of anxiety and depression, also said that he was forced to deal with an excessive workload after a member of staff committed suicide and another went on long-term sick leave.
"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," a spokesperson for the educational establishment said.
Advice on the Health and Safety Executive website tells public liability insurance holders how they can manage problems relating to stress in the workplace.