Over the past year and a half, our economy has had its fair share of ups and downs. Now that businesses are beginning to reopen and many states have returned to nearly full capacity at restaurants, bars, retail stores, concert venues and more, companies are in dire need of more employees. Although this spike is fantastic for businesses and consumers alike, it can have an unwanted effect on worker safety if employers are hiring in large numbers and may not be fully equipped to do so. 

When there is low unemployment, very few people are out of work. This seems like there would only be positives in this situation, however, how prepared a company is to screen, train, and protect their workforce can largely determine if a company will thrive with new employees. 

Proper Qualifications & Training

One of the biggest concerns that arises when companies hire quickly in large groups is that employers may overlook essential skills and qualifications employees should possess for the particular job. Giving an individual job responsibilities they may not be equipped for can increase the likelihood of mistakes and accidents occurring. In addition, even if an employee has all of the technical qualifications for a role, it is essential that an employer still conducts thorough training to avoid any miscommunication or misunderstanding about the expectations of the job specific to the company’s operations. It is unfortunate that oftentimes when businesses are rushed to hire new employees, these critical initial steps are skimmed or even overlooked entirely. This will only increase the chances of an employee suffering from an injury on-the-job and filing for a workers’ compensation case as a result. 

Safety Measures

It is also possible that newly reopened businesses have not revisited the necessary safety measures that should be in place while operating with a new staff and at full capacity. It is important that you understand the safety guidelines at a new job and do everything in your power to not only follow, but also promote, those protocols throughout your workplace. If your employer has been negligent in ensuring workplace safety and you are injured on the job, contact a workers’ compensation attorney. You have a right to be protected and safe at work whether it is your first day or your hundredth.

Protect Yourself

Although you should be able to place some amount of trust in a company that they have your best interest in mind as a job applicant, it is always a good idea to conduct your own screening to make sure the job role they are hiring for is a good fit and the workplace is safe. It is important that you read through the job description thoroughly before deciding whether or not the open position matches your qualifications. In addition, there should be a discussion on your first day of work (or sooner) about the training you will go through before you are expected to tackle your job responsibilities on your own. If your employer does not seem to care about investing in proper training or ensuring your safety, this job may not be the best fit for you. 

Taking the necessary precautions to prevent an accident at a new job can avoid many workplace injuries, however, sometimes they are out of your control. If you have been injured at a new job, our experienced team at Poirier Law Firm is here to help. Your rights as a worker take into effect the moment you step on your job site and we are dedicated to protecting them. 

Source: https://amtrustfinancial.com/blog/small-business/unemployment-rate-and-workers-comp