{"id":324,"date":"2023-05-21T12:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-21T11:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/policybee.co.uk\/blog\/?p=324"},"modified":"2023-10-11T10:54:41","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T09:54:41","slug":"insurance-for-work-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/insurance-for-work-experience","title":{"rendered":"Do I need employers’ liability insurance for work experience students?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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\"Work<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re thinking of taking on some cheap or, better still, free labour over the summer holidays (or at any other time, for that matter), take note. It could turn out to be more costly than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might not be aware of this but the wellbeing of any work experience students, interns, or casual staff working for you is your<\/strong> responsibility<\/strong>. That’s temporarily or otherwise. And that brings employers’ liability insurance into the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing is, as an ’employer’ you’re viewed as being legally and morally responsible for the people you give direction to. Whether they’re on the payroll or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means if they\u2019re injured or become ill while they\u2019re with you and they say it\u2019s your fault, you could be held liable. Worse still, anyone working for you, in whatever capacity, can sue you for damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing quite like a protracted and expensive court case and a substantial fine to ruin a summer holiday. So you should be prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What the law has to say about employers’ liability insurance for work experience students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Health and Safety Executive<\/a> (HSE) sets the law on employee welfare and this is what they have to say about work experience students and interns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen employing a young person under the age of 18, whether for work, work experience, or as an apprentice, employers have the same responsibilities for their health, safety and welfare as they do for other employees.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what do you need to do? Take action to protect you and the person you\u2019re taking on is what. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n