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Posted By J. Robin Gatenby
Dear all,
I have recently been asked about staff attending meetings, usually in public halls or similar in the evening. The purpose of the meeting is directly in relation to their work activities. Staff attend the meeting within the contracted hours (usually time in lieu) but working hours end with the meeting. Staff are not required to return to "base" (which are generally closed/locked up) and are free to go home/pub/etc afterwards. The risk assessment covers loan working, attendance at the meeting, locking up the hall, travel to the meeting, etc as part of the work activities. Many staff use public transport to and from the meetings.
Does anyone have any thoughts/experience/knowledge of case law etc with regard to where the employers liability and duty of care ends - ie on leaving the meeting or arrival at home (which may be some considerable distance/time)or somewhere in between.
Any thoughts appreciated
Many thanks
Robin
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
If employees are meeting outside normal hours but in connection with work, then I suggest the activity would be deemed normal working and all relevant h&s law would apply. Hence the onus on the employer to ensure employees' safety and a duty of care would exist.
Ray
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
Sorry, should have added - a caring employer should ensure that all reasonably practicable risks to employees have been assessed, including travelling from the meeting to home. The level of risk will be determined by a number of factors, e.g. the vulnerability of the person, time of day/night, the type of area, mode of transport and any personal requests.
I am not aware of any specific case law at present.
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Phil Grace
Robin,
Whilst agreeing with Raymond's comments I would just suggest that a degree of caution is required in extending ones responsibilities too widely. Raymond mentioned travel from the meeting to employee's home.
I think the duty of care here depends on a number of factors. Employees travel home after work is their own responsibility. However, it is possible that the meeting could "change the game". The meeting is taking place in a different location and so additional risks might be raised and since these are a result of the addtendance then I would agree that the employer needs to assess them. But if the normal place of work is on a bus route and the evening meeting is also on a bus route then I do not think there are additional duties.. but it all depend on the circumstances. I do not think that it is necessary to arrange taxis just because it is an after hours meeting!
Phil
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