smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

No safety net

Whereas some financial institutions may get bailed out by a...
Have your say »

RSS

Employers risking staff insurance cover

May 08 2008

Email a friend

Employers have to disclose all details of their employment practices or risk staff not being covered by their insurance, a group claims.

The National Group on Homeworking (NGH) has said that employers are still responsible for the safety of their staff, even when they are working from home.

Because using drivers or homeworkers is not uncommon, it can be incorporated into most employer's liability insurance policies but that is dependent on the insurer being 'totally aware' of the working conditions, the director of the NGH Linda Devereux says.

'It is totally reliant on the employer giving all the relevant information to their insurer,' she comments.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, in the UK in 2006-07, 241 workers were killed at work and some 2.2 million people were suffering from a condition or illness they thought was caused or aggravated by their work.

The Labour Force Survey has revealed that in the same period around 274,000 reportable injuries occurred in the workplace.

Comments

There are currently no comments on this article

Prize Draw

Enter our short survey!

Smallbusiness.co.uk together with our partners at Ricoh would like to invite you to take part in a short survey. The questionnaire will take only a few minutes to complete (no more than 5 minutes) and all entrants who complete the survey will be entered in to our free prize draw to win a Ricoh Aficio™ GX2500 mono and colour liquid Gel technology printer. Enter here

Polls

News

Small businesses 'may fall foul of internet'

The internet can be a 'legal minefield' for small businesses and many may not be aware of how to comply with the law, according to an expert.

Back pain biggest cause of sickness

Deskbound workers are most likely to suffer from back pain, which is one of the biggest causes of sickness in the workplace, says an expert.

Bank lending to revert to 2007 levels

Lending from three banks to small businesses is set to increase to the levels seen in 2007 after a government bailout.

SMEs hit by rising costs

Small businesses are being hit on both fronts by price increases and losing customers as the economic crisis bites, according to new research.  

Government lifeline for SMEs, says Jones

Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones says SMEs previously struggling to get credit should now re-contact their banks.

Britons 'putting work before health'

An increasing number of British people are putting their job before their health due to the pressures of the current financial climate, according to an expert.

Rescue package 'should include small firms'

Small companies should be recognised in the bank restructuring programme to help them with rising costs, according to an industry body.

Rate cut was 'essential'

Industry bodies describe the Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates by 0.5 per cent as good news for small firms.

Companies looking for growth

Cash rich, well-run businesses will be in a strong position to gain market share and make acquisitions over the coming months, a source reports.

More companies opt to screen employees

An increasing number of firms are choosing to screen candidates in a bid to protect the company's data and ensure it is not put at risk, according to a source.

Closing of energywatch 'will affect small businesses'

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has stated many companies will not know where to turn following the closure of energywatch.

Guides & Tips

What benefits do staff want?

 Oval Financial Services’ Debby Hannaford explores how focus groups and surveys can be used to gain constructive and positive feedback about employee benefits packages

Automated hacking

What do the Sony Playstation game ‘SingStar Pop’ and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) have in common?

Your first business loan

If your business plan and financial forecasts are sound, you may be feeling brave enough to approach a bank for funding.

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.