What is duty of care in the workplace?
Why is duty of care important?
Where and how does duty of care apply?
What does duty of care mean in practical terms?
- Ensure that staff work a reasonable number of hours
- Conduct work-based risk assessments
- Provide adequate training and personal protective equipment (PPE) if necessary
- Keep up-to-date training records and display certifications
- Ensure that all employees are protected from discrimination, bullying, and harassment
- Provide clear communication channels for reporting concerns
- Incorporate mandatory rest breaks into employee shifts
- Provide special measures for adults or children who are at high risk
What about remote workers?
Why do companies need to have a duty of care policy?
What are some examples of duty of care obligations?
Safeguarding: keeping everyone safe
Mental health: just as important as physical health
Employee wellbeing: a holistic strategy
What is a breach of duty of care?
- Tripping on a poorly maintained floor
- Falling down a wet flight of stairs
- Electrocution from a faulty plug
- Injury from incorrectly handling equipment without training
- Not providing wheelchair access to any services or facilities your able-bodied employees can access
- Failing to regularly test fire alarms
- Not ensuring power outlets are grounded
- Failing to sufficiently mark fire exits