Some of my work colleagues want to organise a walking group to go on walks at weekends (working hours are Monday - Friday 9am-5pm). The idea is to promote health & wellbeing amongst staff however there would be no compulsion for staff to go on them and the only links to work would be that all the walkers would be work colleagues; the group would be advertised through work; and that it is being organised by one of our colleagues who is on the staff forum. Would we need public liability insurance? I am already part of a walking group which is completely independent of work, in my spare time and which anyone can come on and that group has no insurance. Thanks

No I really don't think so. Its no different from someone putting up a sign on a noticeboard at work saying "fancy joining us all for a pint after work on Friday". But Individuals would still have some responsibility for each other - so lets say one person selects a route but makes no allowance whatsoever for the ability and experience of a novice walker. That walker gets left behind on the walk and subsequently falls off a cliff. THen I think reasonably there'd be questions of negligence to answer. But that's an issue between the individuals not something that the company would get involved in. If they were going into hilly or remote terrain I think it would be good practice though for there to be a written plan for the activity - much the same as you would produce if you were doing a walk with a group of children. YOu'd set out the start and end points, the route, estimated timings, arrangements for transport and food, contact numbers and estimate how "difficult" the walk was and so on. That's just basic good practice. If the walking group used a company vehicle to get to and from their start point then obviously correct insurance for the vehicle and driver would be needed.

Just walk.

Please please don't go down the route of "conkers bonkers". You certainly don't need insurance and don't speak to any Insurance company, who will tell you otherwise !

Would there be any difference if it was done during the (unpaid) lunchtime hour and was badged up as a 'walking club'? I assume not.

I would have thought that since this is something to be done outside of working hours, away from the workplace, and not in the course of employment, it is nothing to do with the company, and the question of insurance is something for the walking group to consider in its own right. You might want to see what organisations like the Ramblers Association do, but I would have thought taking out insurance is a bit over the top (but it depends on where you are planning on walking, I suppose).

No to EL insurance, but depends how far you want to go with it, some associations i.e. Ramblers, provide some insurance cover to clubs joining their society. I'm in a mountaineering club and we get some accident cover by being a part of the British Mountaineering Society - this seems sensible to me as a fall up the mountains could have some serious consequences and if you don't get sick pay or have personal injury insurance :( Colin

And they don't let you take the treadmill outside so that you can enjoy the fresh air.

Its not silly idea, as such - depending on your own insurance circumstances, you might already have some cover for loss of earnings - that was my point. If you already have such cover, I don't see what extra insurance is required.

HaHa - Topical mis type or intended ? "non" ! Chris

Freudian slip!