![\"Work](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/young-intern-in-office-at-laptop_shutterstock_747537694.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTaking on a student for work experience can be a really rewarding experience. For you and them. Just as long as you\u2019re prepared and protecting them properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you know the wellbeing of any work experience students, interns, or casual staff working for you is your<\/strong> responsibility<\/strong>? That’s temporarily or otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And that brings employers’ liability insurance<\/a> into the picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing is, as an ’employer’,\u00a0you’re\u00a0legally and morally responsible for the people you give direction to. Whether\u00a0they’re\u00a0on your payroll or not.\u00a0<\/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… <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the eyes of\u00a0the Health and Safety Executive\u00a0(HSE),\u00a0yes,\u00a0they do<\/a>.\u00a0Anyone under your\u00a0supervision and\u00a0control does.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So\u00a0if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a one-man-band and decide to take someone on a work placement,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0need to make sure you get employers\u2019 liability insurance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s\u00a0cheaper than most other types of insurance, so it\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0break the bank. And\u00a0gives you, and your student, peace of mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it\u2019s arranged by their school, they may even insist you have it before they allow a student to come and work for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And at the end of the day, you owe the same duty of care<\/a> to everyone under your supervision.\u00a0Maybe even more\u00a0so when\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0young and inexperienced.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As well as students on a placement, there are other types of workers who could fall into this bracket. And they need to be protected by insurance too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers\u2019 liability insurance\u00a0generally covers\u00a0anyone working\u00a0for\u00a0you, in any\u00a0shape or form.\u00a0There are a few circumstances where you might not need it, for example, when\u00a0you’re hiring\u00a0a close family member.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can read\u00a0our in-depth\u00a0guide to employers\u2019 liability<\/a>\u00a0to find out more about these.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It goes without saying, extra care and consideration should be taken when allowing someone under 18 to come and work for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Young people are often more vulnerable to accidents. They’re new to the world of work and probably unfamiliar with common workplace hazards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re deciding what tasks they\u2019re going to carry out for you, think about their age, experience, and maturity. Ask yourself: how much responsibility can I give them? Can I be around enough to supervise them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Students and young workers can be reluctant to ask questions or admit they’re unsure how to do something. Especially when they’re keen to make a good impression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember too, that some young people might not have reached full physical maturity. They could be more susceptible to injuries from lifting, carrying, or other physically demanding tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s why the HSE recommends giving young people clear instructions<\/a>, appropriate training, and closer supervision than more experienced members of staff. They have a comprehensive guide for employers<\/a> on risk assessment which could be helpful if you don\u2019t have one in place already. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\u00a0Health and Safety Executive<\/a>\u00a0sets the law on employee welfare and this is what they have to say about work experience students and interns:\u00a0<\/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>\u00a0<\/strong><\/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. Just as you would for any employee. Here\u2019s how: <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you work with the general public, make sure you have public liability insurance<\/a> too. If your work experience student makes a mistake and causes an accident, it’s on you and your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, public liability and employers\u2019 liability come as a package anyway \u2013 to make sure you\u2019re covering all bases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have an existing employers\u2019 liability insurance policy,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0covered already.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0usually no need to tell your insurer about your extra pair of hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However,\u00a0it’s\u00a0a good idea\u00a0to talk to them if\u00a0you’re\u00a0taking someone on for a lengthy placement or internship. Or if\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0doing work\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0among\u00a0your company\u2019s usual business\u00a0activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just to recap, before taking on a work experience student: <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get a quote for\u00a0employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/a>, or if\u00a0you\u2019d\u00a0like more general information on hiring, read\u00a0our\u00a0guide to taking on your first employee<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather talk\u00a0about it?\u00a0Ring\u00a0our\u00a0team\u00a0of experts\u00a0on\u00a00345 222 5391<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image used under license from Shutterstock.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Taking on a student for work experience can be a really rewarding experience. For you and them. Just as long as you\u2019re prepared and protecting them properly. Did you know the wellbeing of any work experience students, interns, or casual staff working for you … Continue reading Do work experience students count as employees?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What counts as work experience?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What risk assessments should you do for work experience students?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What the law has to say about employers’ liability insurance for work experience students<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Is there anything else I need?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One size fits all<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n