Accidental damage caused by me while on a job- responsibilty??

Joe_Rocket

Hi all,

I was hoping that some of you might be able to help me. My firm was asked to do a bit of work in a customers home, and I was dispatched to do it (we work on behalf of insurance companies, but are a separate private company). Whilst there, I was moving a piece of equipment around and clipped a glass table ever so lightly- the whole thing shattered (yes, my face was a picture!). Given the size of the room and the size of the equipment we were using, there was a good chance of damage given that it wasn't possible to move the table out of the room so the top was covered as best we could. Negligence doesen't come into it, I think.
The homeowner was fine, having been assured it would be replaced one way or another, and I informed my boss and provided pictures when I got back to the office. However, this morning in work I'm told that there will be an 'investigation' into the table- understandable in these times of the credit crunch I guess....

However, I'm just wondering where I stand with regards to employment law- can I be asked to pay for the table? Or have the cost taken out of my wages? Where do I stand with regards to warnings or dismissal? I'm a little worried....:embarasse
Thanks folks! Joe

Zazen999

If you are entering premises then surely they have insurance? Sometimes they get you to pay the excess, but also have a check on your contract and see if there is anything there.

PasturesNew

Your firm will have insurance that covers this ... the issue will come in what you did to protect the table and whether you followed any rules/guidelines the company set out when the work is undertaken. Your employer might decide that it is your fault and charge you something.

You'll just have to wait and see for now.

Uncertain

Zazen999 wrote: »

If you are entering premises then surely they have insurance? Sometimes they get you to pay the excess, but also have a check on your contract and see if there is anything there.

There is no reason at all why the homeowner should have to claim on their insurance. They may not even have contents insurance, that is thier choice. If the OP damaged the table then either he or his company are liable.

Normally the firm would pay, maybe claiming off their insurance. Unless the OP's contract of employment provides that he personally has to pay for any damage it would not be normal to do so. The firm may have grounds to take disciplinary action against the OP depending on the circumstances.

Zazen999

Uncertain wrote: »

There is no reason at all why the homeowner should have to claim on their insurance. They may not even have contents insurance, that is thier choice. If the OP damaged the table then either he or his company are liable.

Normally the firm would pay, maybe claiming off their insurance. Unless the OP's contract of employment provides that he personally has to pay for any damage it would not be normal to do so. The firm may have grounds to take disciplinary action against the OP depending on the circumstances.

The COMPANY will have insurance, not the homeowner. The COMPANY will have the necessary insurances for entering premises. Why would the homeowner have insurances for entering premises?

!!!!!!!

Blackpool_Saver

Must have been a cheap table, just shows how dangerous they are.

ohreally

Vicarious liability - your employer is liable and should have public liability insurance.

tizhimi

Thats exactly why employers are required to have PLI and if you are employed you are covered. If you are self employed you still need your own PLI.

DVardysShadow

Zazen999 wrote: »

The COMPANY will have insurance, not the homeowner. The COMPANY will have the necessary insurances for entering premises. Why would the homeowner have insurances for entering premises?

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!? There was a definite ambiguity over who the 'they' was in your post.

dacouch

For the record there is no law in the UK requiring anyone to have Public Liability Insurance, the only Insurances that are legally compulsory in the UK are Third Party Insurance for vehicles and Employers Liability if you have employees

Uncertain

Zazen999 wrote: »

The COMPANY will have insurance, not the homeowner. The COMPANY will have the necessary insurances for entering premises. Why would the homeowner have insurances for entering premises?

!!!!!!!

I suggest you re-read what you wrote in your original post!

I see now what you meant but what you said was "If you are entering premises then surely they have insurance" You had not mentioned anybody else in you post so "they" can only refer to the premises!

This is basic English which needs to be mastered before you get on to advanced concepts such as !!!!!!!