Taking a Job Implies Ability to Cope

It was depressing to read Dr. (Michael B.) Coburn’s “Stress Claims” letter (April 29). Obviously, this is a warm, caring man who thinks that leaning on the workers’ comp system is the way to pay for much-needed treatment.

There are a lot of hurting people out there, and searching for a victim to pay for treatment is not the right answer. Don’t you think that when a prospective employee goes for a job, ability to handle the stresses is just as important as being able to type or design a satellite? The employer did not drag the employee off the street and say, “OK, you are going to do the job or else.” In reality, the prospective employee said, “I can do the job.”’

Some people have almost no tolerance for stress, and it is virtually impossible to ferret these people out.

When I accepted a very high stress job with my previous employer, I had two options. I could do the job, or I could go back to my old job. It never occurred to me that I could sue for accepting a job that was over my head. Most stress claims become laughable when you compare these people to physicians, dentists, nurses, police, military pilots and myriad others who face true stress.

LEON H. COLEMAN

Westminster