Archive for January 5th, 2012
Staying safe in human resources
It is no surprise to any small business owner that there has been an enormous rise in the number of employees claiming compensation for workplace accidents. Many choose to claim emotional distress caused by work stress rather than for damages as a result of a physical injury sustained due to a negligent employer or unsafe work environment. What this means for bosses all over Britain is that they are more likely than ever to face a lawsuit. No-one could suggest that all of these proceedings are cynical, acquisitive or fraudulent, but the fact is that many are. For every genuine claim there is an equivalent “no win no fee” style claim made unfairly. Furthermore, every time it emerges in the media that another employee has successfully made a claim it opens the eyes of another disgruntled employee to the possibility of getting compensation.
Many companies are simply unprepared for the possibility of facing such a claim. If you’re in charge of a small business or a human resources professional, don’t wait until it happens to you to learn about employer rights. Knowing your rights from the start is the only way to protect yourself and your shareholders from litigation. Not only can it prepare you legally, it is also the best way to ensure that you implement all the necessary measures needed to prevent litigation; impeccable health and safety in the workplace, a rigorous complaints procedure in place, and employee committees designed to spread responsibility and protect the employer.