Claiming Against Your Employer: What You Need to Know
Many people are often too intimidated to make a claim against their employer, even if they are well within their rights.
The idea of claiming compensation against someone in a position of authority can be daunting, especially when you work for that person and are worried about the impact it will have on your career. However, as long as you are adequately prepared, have hard evidence of your claim, and a professional at your side to navigate you through all the legal obstacles, then you should feel a massive weight lifted off your shoulders.
Continue reading for some valuable information regarding making a claim.
Work-Related Accidents
You may be claiming compensation due to an injury sustained at work. Although accidents do happen, it is still the responsibility of business owners to guarantee their employees' safety, so if you have been injured due to negligence at work, you can make a claim. Finding the right Personal Injury Solicitor is essential to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Whether you work in construction and have been injured by faulty equipment, or even if you work in an office and slipped on a wet surface, your injury is still a breach of the Health and Safety regulations put in place to protect employees.
Harassment in the Workplace
Of course, it is not only physical injuries that you can receive compensation for but emotional distress, too. Workplace harassment has become a more widely discussed topic ever since the 'Me Too' movement, but workplace harassment isn't limited to unwanted sexual advances. Other examples include bullying, threatening behaviour, offensive emails, pranks, spreading rumours and undermining others. If you have been a victim of any of these actions, then you are entitled to compensation. Mental health is another aspect of Health and Safety regulations, so if you feel these guidelines are not being met, then you can put in a claim.
Unfair Dismissal
When your employment is terminated for reasons that breach your contract, this counts as unfair dismissal. You can also claim for unfair dismissal if your employer didn't apply the correct dismissal procedures. As long as you have not committed any misdemeanours or breached any rules at work that would make you viable for dismissal – such as repeatedly being late to work, stealing from the company, abusive behaviour, etc. – then you can proceed with your claim.
Redundancy
You may think that redundancy is concrete, but you can still argue it if you believe that your redundancy was unjust. A redundancy is applicable for the following reasons:
Your workplace closes
Your employers decide they need less workers, for financial reasons
The business is overhauled, and your role is no longer necessary
If you were one of several people working in the same field, but you were the only person made redundant, then this can make your employer look suspicious. This is even more relevant if you can prove you were working at a high level of efficiency, and that you are more qualified and hard-working than your colleagues.
Slander
Your reputation is more important than anything in the world of work, and the last thing you need is for your character to suddenly become tarnished and damage your career prospects. You can sue for defamation of character in the workplace if you believe your employer has made slanderous comments directed at you. If your employer has made a defamatory statement about you on social media, for instance, you can use this as evidence of your claim.