Need for 'greater protection' against criminal actions by employees

Companies should be better protected against criminal actions committed by their employees, it has been claimed.

New research from the Law Commission has suggested that courts should be given power to apply a due diligence defence to statutes that would otherwise impose strict criminal liability for companies and individuals.

Steve Huxham, chairman of the Recruitment Society, said: "When people, businesses [and] employees, are under pressure, you have to be even more careful that the pressure doesn't lead individuals or companies to do things that they shouldn't."

"It is important that they do have that right to defend themselves and to demonstrate what they have done to minimise the risk both to themselves and to the public, other businesses, et cetera," he added.

Mr Huxham said it is definitely "a time to be more cautious, more covered [and] more secure". He added that companies should ensure they have proper procedures in place to deal with any misdemeanours that might occur.

Search our research reports to gain an insight in to the latest management issues.