HR Industry News

EU to encourage workplace safety with financial incentives

— 21 January 2008 —

A new EU proposal could reward employer with good workplace safety records with tax breaks.

MEPs in Strasbourg last week voted on a range of measures designed to reduce workplace accidents across the whole of the European Union. The UK government will report back to the European Parliament on its implementation of the policy which will include financial incentives.

Ceridian's Paul Avis commented, “It is good to see some carrots for employers to invest to save in employee health, as the current punitive legislation, specifically Corporate Manslaughter, has not led to a flurry of investment in H&S. Once employers realise that their people are their most important asset and that good practice has a real knock-on effect on the bottom line, then hopefully a safer, more productive workforce will be the eventual output.”

Companies with poor safety records will be hit by sanctions, as the EU looks to achieve its ambition of replacing workplace accidents by 25% over five years.

The proposals also call for tougher laws regarding working hours for pregnant women with increased flexible working possibilities for older workers.

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