Hi
I wonder if anyone can offer advice...
I worked for a multinational on a contract basis for about 4 years. It was a pretty standard arrangement where I had a limited company which invoiced an agency which in turn invoiced the multinational.
After 4 years working on this basis I accepted a permanent role within the company doing exactly the same job within the same team and at the same location.
A couple of years later I developed an injury which in my and my doctor's opinion was directly related to a lack of care by the employer ( no training or monitoring). This injury persisted for a further couple of years while I had treatment, mainly at the employers expense. I was then made redundant but was unable to accept similar work, which was offered, because of the injury. In the end I had to accept a completely different role on about 20% of my previous salary.
Through my solicitor I am discussing the issue of compensation with the company. However, they are arguing that they only had duty of care for the period when I was a permanent employee and that the injury may have actually occurred or started to occur, remaining undetected, while I was on the temporary contract.
Even if this were true, which doesn't seem plausible anyway, would they still have been responsible for my health and safety etc. even when I was employed on a contract basis? In case it's relevant, the symptoms of the injury first appeared in late 2003.
If anyone has information on specifics laws or acts it would be much appreciated.
Many thanks