The EIS has secured almost £700,000 in compensation settlements for members injured at work over the past year.
This amount represents an increase of more than 100%, compared to the 2019 figure of just over £290,000. The payments were awarded for a wide range of workplace injuries, including those caused by accident, assault or poor working environment. .
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, "It is never a welcome development to report on an increase in compensation payments received by our members. Whilst the sums involved do represent success for the EIS in pursuing appropriate compensation for injuries suffered at work, our clear preference would be to see these types of injuries eliminated entirely from our schools, colleges and universities.”
Mr Flanagan continued, "The most common cause of injuries remains ‘slips, trips and falls’. These types of incidents are entirely avoidable with correct adherence to appropriate health and safety procedures in the workplace. It is essential that the relevant employers take all possible precautions to ensure that all facilities are as safe as possible for staff and for students.”
Mr Flanagan added, “Many teaching professionals have felt particularly vulnerable in their places over work over the past year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. All employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for their employees in order to protect both their physical and mental health. Working in buildings that many teachers do not believe are COVID secure, without sufficient safety mitigations in place, has had significant implications for the physical and mental wellbeing of many of our members.”
Mr Flanagan went on to say, "It is important to emphasise the valuable role that unions such as the EIS play in standing up for employment rights and the health and wellbeing of employees. The EIS will continue to do all that it can to defend its members from all workplace risks by continuing to push local authorities and the Scottish Government to ensure that our schools, colleges and universities are safe places to work and to learn.”
The list below contains anonymised details of settlements secured over the past year.
|
CLAIM |
NATURE OF CLAIM |
AWARD |
|
|
|
|
|
Assault Claim |
Member was assaulted by pupil and sustained serious injuries as a result. |
£200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stress Claim |
Member suffered a high level of stress due to lack of support in the workplace. |
£90,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Assault Claim |
After an altercation with a pupil our member was assaulted causing injury and distress. |
£75,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Health Claim |
Member suffered ill-health as a result of the workplace environment. |
£65,616 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stress/Personal Injury Claim |
Member suffering stress and anxiety as a result of their employment. |
£60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stress Claim |
Member suffering stress and anxiety as a result of their employment. |
£60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Violence Claim |
After an altercation with a pupil our member was assaulted causing serious injury and distress. |
£55,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Health Claim |
Health claim as a result of workplace environment. |
£25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Personal Injury Claim |
Member suffering from prolonged continuous and progressive feelings of unfair treatment, bullying and harassment. |
£20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accident Claim |
After an altercation with a pupil our member was assaulted causing injury and distress. |
£11,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Assault Claim |
Member suffered stress and anxiety as a result of a sexual assault. |
£10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accident Claim |
Member fell on pathway coming from the temporary staff car park. Member suffered a broken bone in left hand. |
£6,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Assault Claim |
Member assaulted by a pupil who had a long history of violence. The member suffered injury and distress. |
£5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accident Claim |
Member fell in an untreated school park which resulted to an injury to the elbow. |
£3,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL AWARDS |
£686,716 |
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