A recent article in ABA Journal shared the results of a case involving the injury of a employee caused at a company team softball game, ruling non coverage of workers’ comp coverage.

In a 2013 Employee Benefits survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, only 16 percent of employers offer company-sponsored sports teams and leagues.

Below are some good tips if you should offer a company sports team as well as important information if you play on a company sports team from Business Knowledge Source

There are a lot of reasons why companies shy away from having a company sports team. Such as, what if something happens while at a company sports event, for instance someone trips and breaks and ankle. Or a fight starts and an innocent bystander gets hurt. Or co workers get too competitive and start causing chaos in the work place. There have been a lot of legal issues with situations just like these ones. To decrease the liability on the company’s part there are a few things they can do.

1st Do not hold company sporting events, or practices for that matter on company’s property, or on company time.

2nd Let employees know that the sports team is optional and they do not have to play.

3rd Let it be known they are playing for fun and are liable for their own actions. Definitely have each participant sign a release form as part of being able to play on the company sports team.

4th Do not allow alcohol at company sport events

5th Let employees know that they are not getting paid to play on the company sports team

All in all a company sports team can be a good or bad thing depending on the attitude and personalities of the company and employees involved. It could turn out to be a great thing for a company with great benefits for both the company and employees alike, or on the other hand company sports teams could lead to hostility at work, negative competition, etc. So whether it is decided to play ball, or decline. It is all in center field whether or not company sports teams are a good idea.

At Tindall Law Firm, LLC, we represent employees with workers’ compensation claims and third-party negligence claims. Attorney Tavis Tindall has 21 years of legal experience and is committed to fighting for the benefits and compensation injured workers deserve. Whether your claim was denied or you are in the application process, we can assist you. For a free consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney, please call 203.755.0018 or contact us online at https://tindall-lawfirm.com