Lone working can be difficult, particularly when an employee has a dismissive employer, as can be seen in this Case of the Week.

Our client worked tiling kitchens in local authority social housing. Her employer should have removed all white goods from the kitchen prior to her attending a property, but on occasions did not.

When our client raised this with her supervisor he laughed at her.

Our client attended one property and had to move a fridge freezer by herself and, in doing so, she injured her back. Her employer denied she was required to do this.

"Our client just wanted to do the job she was employed to do. It should not have been up to her to move white goods alone. To have laughed at her when she raised concern was wholly irresponsible and suggests that the employer who does not take the safety of its staff seriously"

Tracey Bennett Solicitor

The Judge heard all the evidence at trial and commented that our client’s employer had taken a dismissive approach and that the employer was at fault.

Commenting on the case Tracey Bennett from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Our client just wanted to do the job she was employed to do. It should not have been up to her to move white goods alone. To have laughed at her when she raised concern was wholly irresponsible and suggests that the employer who does not take the safety of its staff seriously. I hope the Judge’s comments acts as a warning to this employer to take a different approach.”