Workplace violence
Comprehensive legal advice and representation in relation
to employers' liability and public liability claims arising from
workplace violence.
The BBC Panorama documentary broadcast in
March 2007 illustrated the real cost of workplace violence to
employers. It is estimated that the NHS alone incurs costs of £100m
per year in protecting their employees and through absenteeism due
to physical assaults and abuse to staff.
In addition, there are the very real personal
costs to those who are victims of workplace violence, some of whom
are unable to return to front line duties. Healthcare workers are
not the only sector reporting an increase in violence and abuse
over recent years – others include retail, licensed retail,
transport, public services and, of course, security.
Injury to employees brings with it the threat
of civil action against their employers on the grounds that they
have failed to take sufficient steps to protect staff against the
risk of robbery, attack or abuse. And the risk of civil claims does
not stop there. In recent years, there have been
many
well-publicised actions from members of the public where employees
have used excessive force, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal
injury.
Weightmans’ specialist Workplace Violence team
has been at the cutting edge for a number of years in defending
employers against workplace violence claims. We work closely with
organisations such as MAYBO, the country’s leading conflict
management training providers, and offer a holistic service dealing
with all aspects of claims for damages and prosecutions.
As an employer, you stand to benefit from our
services in a number of ways. Not only do we provide expert advice,
guidance and representation, but we also help you to implement
policies and procedures to help prevent incidents arising.
Our expertise and knowledge of the
sectors affected (particularly retail, licensed premises and
security guarding/delivery) puts us in a perfect position to help
you take preventative measures to manage the risks. As a
consequence, your organisation and your employees are better
protected, claims are reduced and there is less disruption to your
normal activities.
"Weightmans' knowledge and expertise on workplace
violence is second to none. Their advice has been invaluable"
National Health and Safety Manager,
G4S
