UK's Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act

The 1960s were an amazing decade. The world saw the Second Vatican Council, the Vietnam War, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and huge progress for labor laws. The UK enacted the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act of 1969, modeling and being a model for numerous countries. It was remarkable legislation for its time.

In the 1960s, the UK was making phenomenal strides in employee rights. Gone were the days, or nearly gone, of child labor, absurdly long hours for very little pay, and hazardously dirty working conditions. The Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act was enacted in 1969 and fully enforced by 1971. With the advent of the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act, employers became legally, financially responsible for the health and safety of their work site and workers.

What does the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act require of employers? While there are similar laws in other countries, in the UK it looks as follows.

First, to whom does the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act apply? For the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act to apply, one's employees must be normally based in England, Scotland or Wales. The Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act doesn't require having liability insurance for people in off-shore installations. However, the country in which those employees are stationed may have its own regulations regarding compulsory insurance.

Second, what does the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act cover? It requires that employers meet the cost of compensation for their employees' injuries or illness. This is true whether they are caused on the job site or off it. Basically, this is insurance that applies if a worker, an employer, or his or her agent is injured or becomes ill and the employer is responsible.

Who is exempt from the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act? Most employees are required to have liability insurance. However, family businesses that are not incorporated, most public or governmental organisations, health service bodies, and other organizations which are publicly funded. Employees who are injured on the job or who become ill as a result of their work can claim compensation, but the money for compensation comes from public funds rather than an insurance policy.

The most recent changes made to the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act were in 1998. Under this legislation, if an employer has employed anyone since January 1, 1999, including casual workers and part-timers, they must have employers' liability insurance, display the certificate to that effect, and retain the certificate or a copy each time you renew your insurance for 40 years.

A variety of labor laws have been enacted in the UK since the Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act of 1969. This act was, however, one of the most significant in its regulation of the care of employee's health and welfare if they are injured or become ill as a result of their work.