The Employees that EPLI Coverage Can Benefit

No business can function without its workforce, which is why you have as much responsibility to make a good impression on your employees as they have to make a good impression on you. The better you look out for them, the more highly they will think of you. And, if you make mistakes, then they do have a right to challenge you on it.

Try as you might, you can’t prevent every instance of a dissatisfied employee. Sometimes, someone who feels that they were mistreated due to their interactions your company will lodge a legal challenge, and you will have to respond. At this time, a benefit known as Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) will be able to step in to assist you. It can help someone affected by your mistakes regardless of whether they are still employed with you.

EPLI Coverage in Brief
When an employee gets injured on the job, it is workers’ compensation insurance that will be able to help them cover their injury costs. However, it won’t apply to personal harm done to this person, which, though it might not be readily visible could be equally devastating.

EPLI coverage can assist you if someone alleges your business engaged in misconduct, such as:

• Failure to compensate or promote
• Unfair review practices
• Sexual or physical harassment
• Discrimination
• Breach of contract
• Mismanagement of benefits

However, where these policies go the extra mile is that they don’t only apply when a current employee makes these claims. They can also cover claims made former employees and prospective hires. After all, anyone who engages in employment negotiations with your business could allege harm was done.

Coverage for Prospective Hires
You must conduct your hiring procedures in transparent, fair manners that comply with all local regulations. Therefore, you are limited in how you can conduct yourself. For example, you cannot ask probing questions to interviewees, such as inquiring about whether someone is pregnant or has a child. This could lead to allegations that you discriminated against this party had you failed to hire them. A lawsuit might result, but an EPLI policy can help you fight this claim.

Coverage for Former Employees
When you see an employee leave your business, you want it to be under the best conditions. However, employee departures are too often difficult. If you terminate someone’s position, for example, you have to do so honestly, and in compliance with local law. For example, you cannot terminate someone for getting called for jury duty, or for taking time off when they get the flu. You also cannot fire an employee who comes to you with honest concerns about a problem in the business. If you do, then this could be fertile ground for an employment lawsuit.

While EPLI coverage can be very beneficial against allegations of workplace misconduct, it cannot protect those who are found guilty of such intentional acts. Therefore, no matter how strong your policy might be, it is still imperative to do all you can to follow strict employment protocols at all times.

The Employees that EPLI Coverage Can Benefit

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