45 per cent of workers would be too scared of losing their job to take legal action against their employers.
The potential implications of Brexit on employment law are still unclear, however what is clear is that 45 per cent of workers are already too scared to use existing employment law for fear for upsetting their employers. New research comissioned by Claims.co.uk has revealed that presently, over 4 in 10 British workers could be vulnerable to mistreatment and exploitation due to a lack of awareness of their rights.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, showed that 45 per cent of workers feel that the fear of losing their jobs would be a barrier to making a compensation claim against their employer, whilst 23 per cent did not even realise that employers legally must have insurance for workplace injuries. Problems were particularly acute amongst the younger generation, with a staggering 48 per cent of 18-24 year olds being unaware of employer’s legal personal injury insurance obligations towards their employees.
Nationally, 83 per cent agreed that employers and organisations should be more careful and try to eliminate accidents and injuries caused in the workplace, but whilst 27 per cent of the population are unaware of employer’s responsibility to have insurance to cover them whilst at work, it suggests a particularly vulnerable position for employees, especially at a time when trade unions have lost favour.
John Quail, managing director of Claims.co.uk is particularly concerned by the findings: “If workers are unaware of the insurance their boss is required to have, and are too fearful of losing their job to make a claim, they may well work in dangerous or unhealthy conditions without raising complaint. This is particularly problematic in industries like construction, where there are ample health and safety rules, which are time-consuming for employers but essential for employees.”
“Compensation culture often gets a bad name, with some minority cases covered in the press to disenfranchise the population from the process. However, there are occasions where legal redress is the only option, both essential for the victim and beneficial in a much wider sense as it helps to stamp out dangerous practices. The more aware we are of employer’s obligations, the more these will be enforced,” continues John.
John Quail is worried by employees fearing they could lose their job: “The biggest concern here is that people are mostly worried about losing their job if they made a claim against their employer. Employees must realise that they are legally protected, and employers can’t take advantage of the precarious nature of the job market to avoid meeting legal requirements when it comes to their employee’s health and safety.”
The lack of awareness about employer’s legal obligations also causes concerns. “Injuries at work can result in people who are unable to work. If they’re unaware of employer’s legal requirement to hold insurance, they might not pursue the company for compensation as strongly as they should, particularly if they have loyalty to the firm. What’s worse is the extent to which young people are unaware – these are the future of the workforce and so problems are only likely to get worse unless we address them now.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2147 adults, of which 1231 were full or part time workers. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th – 31st December 2015. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
Of the 2147 GB adults surveyed:
- 42 per cent say that ‘fear of losing my job’ is a barrier to claiming compensation against their employer.
- 27 per cent don’t realise that employers must legally have insurance against personal injuries of their employees in the workplace.
- 48 per cent of 18-24 year olds don’t realise that employers must legally have insurance against personal injuries of their employees in the workplace.
- 59 per cent disagree that people should accept accidents and injuries as a part of life and not jump on the ‘claims bandwagon’.
- 83 per cent agree employers and organisations should be more careful and try to eliminate accidents and injuries caused in the workplace .
For further press information, please contact:
Jon Gardner/Kerry Curtis/Phoebe Plomer
Rooster PR
M: +44 (0)7930 697773
T: +44 (0)2034 408908
E: [email protected]
About Claims.co.uk
Claims.co.uk is a leading consumer portal that allows the public to receive instant, no obligation advice from the firm’s panel of friendly and experienced solicitors.
Specialising in personal injury, Claims.co.uk has years of experience in matching the right type of claim to the legal firm with the experience to match.
The firm works to make consumers aware of the three year time limit on compensation claims and using clear language aims to de-mystify the legal landscape in order to make consulting a solicitor less of an intimidating experience and all based on a no-win no fee model.
The firm’s team of solicitors specialise in Accidents at work, Medical Negligence and Road Traffic Accidents in addition to criminal injury and slips, trips and falls.
Claims.co.uk doesn’t go in for fancy jargon, legal speak or hackneyed company taglines, but represents itself as a small team looking to help others by providing the right guidance and advice in what can be a complex area for many members of the public not familiar with the legal process.
For more information go to www.claims.co.uk or www.facebook.com/claims.co.uk
