Pleural plaques
The government has published its response to the Johnston case and says that medical evidence means it is unable overturn the Law Lords’ decision at this time or that an open-ended no-fault compensation scheme should be set up. The government has, however, announced that it would make limited payments of £5,000 under an ‘extra-statutory scheme’ to individuals in England and Wales who had already begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compensation for pleural plaques at the time of the Lords’ ruling.
www.justice.gov.uk
Fit-note facts
The DWP published separate guidance for GPs, employers and employees on the new fit notes, which will replace the current Med3 sick note from 6 April. The guidance has been created with help from the Royal College of General Practitioners, British Medical Association, CBI, Acas, Federation of Small Businesses, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Association of British Insurers, British Retail Consortium and EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation. The TUC has also produced its own guide to the new arrangements.
www.dwp.gov.uk
www.tuc.org.uk
New sentencing guidelines
Organisations convicted of corporate manslaughter face fines of at least £500,000 under new rules from the Sentencing Guidelines Council. It says fines “may be millions of pounds and should seldom be below £500,000” and recommends that fines from £100,000 up to “hundreds of thousands of pounds or more” should be imposed for other health-and-safety offences that cause death.
www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk
Mesothelioma payouts
The DWP has announced that lump-sum payments from the 2008 Mesothelioma Scheme will increase by around 40% from 1 April to the same level as payments under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979, and will mean that individuals who develop the disease from asbestos exposure outside the workplace will receive the same payment as those exposed at work.
Employers’ liability
The government has announced plans to establish the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office to help people with serious industrial diseases and who cannot trace their employers’ insurance records to track down the liability insurance policies and receive compensation. It also setting up an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau, to provide a fund of last resort for those who are unable to trace employers’ insurance information.
www.dwp.gov.uk
Obesity and incapacity
Figures revealed by the DWP in a written answer to Theresa May MP show that the number of claimants of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance with obesity as the main disabling condition increased by 46% between 1997 and 2009, from 1,100 to 2,040 cases.
www.publications.parliament.uk
MEPs support extension to maternity leave
MEPs voted in February to increase minimum statutory maternity leave across the EU to 20 weeks on full salary, with six weeks taken immediately after birth. They also supported giving fathers the right to at least two weeks paid paternity leave within the period of maternity leave.
Good work
The TUC is challenging employers and the government to promote staff wellbeing through ‘good work'. It says people deserve to work in good jobs where they have a fulfilling working life, job satisfaction and can achieve their full potential. Improving people's working lives not only improves personal wellbeing, says the TUC, but it can also lead to better, more successful organisations with loyal and motivated staff.
www.tuc.org.uk
Safer needle devices could become EU law
A framework agreement drawn up by EU social partners to help prevent needlestick and sharps injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector has been endorsed by both the European Employment and Social Affairs Committee and the European Parliament. It is now up to the European Council to adopt a proposed directive incorporating the agreement, which would then require all member states to bring in national legislation.
www.epsu.org
http://www.europarl.europa.eu
Latest NHS Research Plus available on our website.
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Conference news
Conferences and courses from The At Work Partnership
Certificate in Managing OH Services
11–13 May 2010
London
Last chance to save £100 on bookings made and paid by 20 March 2010!
Certificate in CBT Skills for OH Professionals
29-30 April; 21 May; 11 June; and 2 July 2010
Birmingham
Advance notice
OH for business travellers and overseas workers
9 July 2010
London
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External courses
Alcohol and Drug Use in the Workplace
Postgraduate certificate
Starts 5 May 2010
King’s College London
The Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, offers this six month programme, attendance one day per week (Wednesday). Designed for occupational health professionals, occupational therapists, HR and management as well as those involved in policy formulation.
For further information and details on how to apply please contact the programme office email pgcert-workplace@kcl.ac.uk or telephone 020 7848 0682.
__________________ One 2 One Coaching for Personal & Professional Development
Experienced Executive Coach Sonia Khera offers a bespoke coaching service to OH and HR professionals, business owners and managers responsible for supporting and developing people.
The process is simple and delivers powerful lasting results …it’s confidential, dynamic, goal orientated and empowering.
Please get in touch - e-mail sonia@one2oneprofessionals.com - to discuss how the benefits of coaching can be realised for you and your organisation. Areas of development and services available include enhancing confidence and skills in effective communication, managing change and people management.
Partnering and working effectively with the right coach is the key to its success.
For more information on these services, please visit: www.one2oneprofessionals.com
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