Sweet charity

Rosemary Lass tells Helen Warwick how she called on support from Hiscox to defend her charitable organisation against false allegations

Being falsely accused of personally victimising an employee is every employer’s nightmare. When it happened to Rosemary Lass, Managing Director of the Seagrave Trust, she needed help.

The Trust, a high-technology research and rehabilitation centre for drug addiction, employs professionals who specialise in addiction and treatment.

"We had an employee who, following maternity leave, struggled with her work schedule," says Rosemary. "We were lenient with her, given that her baby was premature. However, she opted to resign and put forward a number of false allegations against me."

She was shocked to discover that these ranged from sexual discrimination and unfair treatment to failure to provide adequate employee policies. Fortunately, she had already been advised by her broker, part of the Bateman Group, to take out a policy with Hiscox to provide her with vital back-up.

"I phoned Hiscox immediately, who led us step by step through the procedure," she says.

An organised defence

Rosemary was assigned Elina Arter, Hiscox Professional Indemnity Claims Manager. "Rosemary had taken out an Employment Practices Liability [EPL] policy with us," says Elina. "It provides invaluable cover for employers who are exposed to the risk of legal action by their employees.

"Many businesses are exposing themselves to this real risk. Our EPL policy covers the majority of claims an employee may seek to bring against an employer, including unfair and constructive dismissal, sexual discrimination, harassment and retaliation."

Rosemary was covered for all the allegations bar one: contractual holiday entitlement. However, she was subjected to months of worry after her ex-employee forced Rosemary to attend a two-day tribunal hearing. The cost of these can be a blow to organisations such as the Seagrave Trust.

"Rosemary was keen to avoid any legal spend, given the company’s charitable status," Elina explains. "We assisted with the preparation of all correspondence, not to mention the defence and considerable tribunal documentation. The claims were successfully quashed, with a unanimous decision in the Seagrave Trust’s favour."

Rosemary sums up: "I would advise anyone with employees to take out this policy. Hiscox was fantastic, organising everything from advising what to say, to providing full legal back-up. Without a shadow of a doubt, our organisation would have gone under had it not been for Hiscox."

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