One of the best ways an employer can boost overall employee productivity is by maintaining a safe workplace. While this may seem counterintuitive — because of the time required to maintain safe practices and educate employees –employers who skimp in these areas suffer from financial and productivity losses when employees get injured and can’t do their jobs. Ultimately, protecting workers from injury pays dividends to employers in the long run.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, injuries in the workplace accounted for a cumulative loss of nearly $60 billion for employers in 2014. Of those losses, the top three most common injuries accounted for half of them. These are simple, avoidable injuries, such as overexertion or falling while at work.
The data is clear on this point. If employees want to protect their bottom lines, they should be more attentive to protecting their employees in the workplace and giving them proper, ongoing training to help them avoid unnecessary risks. Employers that overlook these precautions in order to save time and money are the most likely to suffer financial losses because of on-the-job injuries.
If you suspect that your employer is not properly training you to remain safe in the workplace, or if you face unfair treatment because of workplace injury, you should speak with your employer about it. More importantly, though, if you suffer any kind of on-the-job injury, you may wish to speak with a California workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you pursue money to pay for your medical care and time spent unable to work.
