Over the past few months we have received an increasing number of discrete inquiries
from clients about insurance coverage for discrimination, harassment or similar
employer-employee disputes. Most clients are unfamiliar with a relatively new type of
insurance coverage available for such situations.
Employment practices liability insurance first came into existence in the early
1990s, probably inspired as a result of the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas hearings and
the consequent increased public awareness of appropriate conduct in the workplace. As of
the date of this newsletter, there are more than 30 insurers offering this coverage, some
as a stand-alone policy, others as an extension to another coverage, e.g., Directors
and Officers liability insurance. According to "Employment Related
Practices: Controlling and Insuring the Risk," Page 6 of the December 1992
edition of Forecast, published by Betterly Risk Consultants, Inc., the number of
work-related lawsuits against corporations has increased at a rate of 5,000 per year since
the late 1980s.
Employment practices liability insurance combines coverage for three types of claims:
(1) discrimination, (2) wrongful termination, and (3) sexual harassment. Policies are
generally written in one of two forms: a named perils form policies that provide
coverage only for exposures arising from events or legislation specifically named in the
policy; or, and "all-risks" form the policy explicitly covers the three
categories of employment suits: breach of contract, statutory torts and common law torts.
Obviously, "all-risks" coverage offers the best option as it automatically
provides for newly-arising perils or changes in the law.
Coverage is usually written on a "Claims Made" basis and is subject to
conditions, limitations and exclusions. The exclusions generally relate to willful,
reckless or wanton acts (whilst providing coverage for vicarious liability), workers
compensation matters, labor management or relations issues (strikes, etc.), criminal
proceedings, punitive damages (some insurers provide this coverage) or settlements due for
services rendered. Defense costs are often included in the limit of coverage (there are
some exceptions). Coverage is subject to an each claim deductible and sometimes a nominal
co-insurance percentage (that is, the insured bears a fixed percentage of the costs of any
claim, e.g., 5 or 10%). A specimen policy may be obtained from the author, which provides
full details of the terms and conditions of coverage.
In the past 12 months, certain professional liability insurers have offered Defense
Costs Only employment practices liability insurance as a coverage extension. At first
sight this appears a good idea and we applaud the initiative of the insurers that have
made this available. However, often the coverage is added with an inner policy limit. That
is, the coverage is provided for a nominal amount (e.g. $100,000 each loss and in the
aggregate) and if utilized, can erode the limit of liability available for any
professional liability claims. Additionally, the quality of coverage is arguably inferior
from that available from other insurers offering the coverage as a separate policy.
Usually the coverage is offered on a named perils basis (see above) and is an indemnity,
rather than pay on behalf of policy (that is, the insured must pay defense costs
and then seek reimbursement from the insurer as opposed to the insurer paying the defense
costs directly). In addition, the cost of the coverage extension may not be significantly
less than that of a separate policy.
Employment practices liability insurance is becoming more important in the increasingly
litigious business environment. Our recommendation to clients is to seek assistance from
an experienced insurance agent and evaluate the cost and appropriateness of the coverage
for their practice. Not only is the insurance itself invaluable, but many insurers provide
useful risk management advice, newsletters, publications and loss control recommendations
that might help to avoid a claim. Often coverage is provided in conjunction with a
toll-free hotline to provide free legal advice.
Some of the largest and more publicized decisions and settlements include the
following:
- A Texas jury awarded $124 million in a wrongful discharge verdict against a large energy
corporation. A former executive accused the company of terminating him because he refused
to file a false report.
- An international telecommunications company settled a pregnancy discrimination case for
$66 million.
- A major insurance company settled a $157 million class action suit filed by women who
alleged they were denied promotions.
- A $15.6 million verdict was rendered against Proctor & Gamble for firing a 41-year
old veteran of the company and then accused him of stealing a $35 company telephone.
The are obviously the extreme end of the spectrum of claims made in the past few years,
but the number of claims made against employers is increasing and is not an exclusive
problem of the largest public companies.
A final word may be in respect to our clients
clients. Although not generally part of the audit
process (where the existence of property and general
liability insurance is verified), it may be prudent
to highlight to your clients the existence of
the financial exposure to a business from discrimination,
harassment and employment-related claims, and
the availability
of appropriate insurance coverage. From a
firm risk management viewpoint, this action may
avoid a future allegation of professional negligence
and a possible professional liability claim for
an accounting firm.
The foregoing
article is not intended to give legal advice which
should be obtained from an
appropriately qualified and experienced attorney.