In part one of this article, we defined duty of care and examined the business consequences companies face if they neglect their obligation to their employees.

 

How Do You Meet Your Duty of Care Obligation?

Now that we’ve defined what an employer’s duty of care to its employees means, here’s a primer on how to build a plan to help you meet your legal commitment of providing safe and secure working conditions for your employees. First, ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I have employees who travel for work?
  • Do I have international offices or facilities?
  • Do I have a clear policy for employees who work remotely?
  • Do I have a duty of care policy that accounts for bleisure?
  • Do I have contractors who would fall under my duty of care obligation?
  • Do I have a way to communicate the risks, dangers and potential threats to my traveling employees?

Incorporate those answers into the steps below to guide you:

Define “duty of care” – Seek legal advice to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, and then customize the definition to align with your organization’s unique context.

Understand your team’s needs and expectations – Engage your team members in discussions about their understanding of duty of care and what they require to feel safe, supported and empowered to perform their best. This input can help shape an organization-wide manifesto or establish guiding principles for an acceptable level of duty of care.

Evaluate existing measures – Assess the measures already in place to protect your team members. Based on regulatory compliance, internal definitions of duty of care and employee feedback, determine whether additional steps are necessary.

Establish accountability – Clearly define who is responsible for specific aspects of care and in which situations. Emphasize the importance of communication among team members to raise potential risks and enforce necessary policies.

 

The backs of heads of dozens of people attending a presentation at a convention.

 

By addressing these considerations, you can begin drafting a duty of care policy that aligns with your organization’s values and fulfills your legal obligations. It may involve prioritizing tasks, developing action plans, identifying gaps and anticipating potential challenges, such as concerns over costs or disruption to work schedules. It may also involve working with Global Rescue. Our GRID platform empowers businesses to ensure the safety, knowledge and connectivity of their remote employees with destination reports and real-time alerts.

Ensuring the overall safety, health, and well-being of your team is a legal requirement (OSHA, state laws, etc.), and providing duty of care protections is not just a bureaucratic exercise, but a vital part of your plan. Embrace this responsibility as an opportunity to create a positive work environment and enjoy the benefits that stem from it.

Contact us to learn how Global Rescue can help you fulfill your duty of care obligation.