The health and safety of workers in New Jersey and throughout the nation are likely influenced by several factors. This is according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Washington. The study used data from the General Social Survey that was collected from 2002 to 2014 to come to its conclusions. It found that those who had jobs labeled as dead-end or precarious were more likely to say that they suffered from poor mental and physical health.
These individuals were also more likely to experience injuries on the job. Individuals who were gig or contract workers were also more likely to report poor mental health compared to those who had a traditional employment situation. The same was true with those who worked long hours with little flexibility to change or avoid them.
Individuals who had more control over their schedule or who were empowered to make decisions at work had fewer mental health problems. This was generally true even if they had irregular hours or were paid a low hourly wage. The research team said that these findings show that stable employment opportunities for workers could have benefits for employers. Those who feel good about their work may be less likely to want to leave a company or otherwise be a drag on its overall productivity.
If a person is hurt on the job, he or she may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits may cover the cost of medical treatment and help a worker recover a portion of wages lost while out of work. Benefits may be available even if a worker took action that might have caused his or her injury or illness to occur. Legal counsel may be available to help those who are pursuing workers’ compensation claims.