Employers should check their liability policies cover swine flu
13/08/2009 12:47:00
Constructaquote.com has seen a large variety of claims take shape since it was launched in 2007.
While some claims might appear more far-fetched than others, it has stressed the importance of businesses preparing for every legal eventuality. Now, the online insurance provider is warning about a new legal danger – the threat that is posed by the spread of swine flu in the workplace.
Swine Flu Risks
Last week, a forecast from the Financial Times predicted that 12% of the UK workforce could be absent with swine flu by September 2009.[1] Law firms specialising in employment law, such as London-based Dickinson Dees, have been quick to underline the potential legal ramifications of this should employees choose to blame their bosses for contracting the virus.[2]
Constructaquote.com has agreed with this viewpoint, and has urged businesses to check they are adequately insured against this risk.
Steven Florey, Marketing Executive at Constructaquote.com, said:
"Since the early stages of the swine flu outbreak, the main concern for small businesses has been that they will be left short of staff in an already difficult economic climate. While this reaction is understandable and fully justified, business owners do need to consider the other ways the virus can impact on their business."
"Potentially, swine flu could pave the way for thousands of compensation claims made by aggrieved employees who have caught the virus at work. This is why we are calling on all UK employers to check whether their employers’ liability insurance covers them in this instance."
The Need For Insurance
Apart from motor risks, employers’ liability is the only other major form of liability insurance that is compulsory in the UK. By law, any business that employs staff must have employers' liability insurance and be insured for at least £5 million. However, it is important to note that while some employers’ liability policies may cover against swine flu compensation claims, others may not.
A specialist in providing employers' liability insurance, Constructaquote.com has drawn attention to how significant it is for businesses to have the right type of insurance in place.
"If a firm has demonstrated a degree of negligence in fighting the spread of swine flu, and this contributes to the illness or death of a staff member, it could be held to serious account,” said Florey. “A large claim could prove devastating to thousands of businesses at the moment, so it really is crucial that they know they’re suitably insured, and seek out the relevant insurance if they are not.'"
Employers' liability insurance was born out of the Health & Safety Act, which stipulates that employers have a duty of care to look after the health, safety and welfare of their employees while they are at work. It generally covers the cost of an awarded claim and a firm's legal expenses if it is taken to court by a staff member.
Further information about employers' liability insurance can be found on the Employers' Liability Insurance page at Constructaquote.com.
Ends
Contact Information
James Barnett
Marketing
Constructaquote.com
Barclay House, 2 - 3 Sir Alfred Owen Way, Pontygwindy Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3HU
Tel: 02920 849543
Email: jbarnett@constructaquote.com
About Constructaquote.com: Constructaquote.com specialises in providing competitive insurance quotations for a range of UK businesses and tradesmen. Established in 2007, and part of the Moorhouse Group, Constructaquote.com compares quotes for a variety of insurance types from a range of top insurers.
The types of business insurance available via Constructaquote.com include public liability insurance, employers& liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, shop insurance, goods in transit insurance and van insurance.
[1] Financial Times, Swine Flu Set to Hit One in Eight British Workers, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4fbbf3b4-7182-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1 (accessed 06/08/09)
[2] http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2009/07/20/51500/swine-flu-employers-failing-to-protect-staff-could-face.html
