The rise of the gig economy has led to people pursuing short-term or temporary employment. Companies may offer better wages and scheduling flexibility when bringing in temporary employees to fill gaps in their rosters.
Workers can enjoy the flexibility that comes from being able to maintain more than one stream of income or focus on developing their small business instead of on a full-time job. Unfortunately, statistics make it clear that temporary workers and those just starting their positions are among those most at risk of serious injury while working.
Research has identified multiple factors that can make temporary employment so dangerous for workers. The factor discussed below likely plays a significant role in the creation of job injury risk for temporary workers.
Temporary workers lack training
In theory, companies may need to train workers for weeks before they truly understand organizational processes and safety standards. Offering multiple weeks of training to workers only filling a position for one or two months may seem wasteful to employers.
They often try to train temporary workers as they go, which can create a variety of risks. Workers don’t understand company practices or safety standards. They can easily make small mistakes that lead to serious injuries for them or a co-worker.
The longer workers maintain their employment with a particular company, the safer they may be. They know how to handle equipment and best practices for harm reduction on the job. Temporary workers may move from one company to the next or from one industry to another. They may not develop the familiarity with safety equipment and workplace standards that those working in one career for years can accumulate.
The good news for temporary, seasonal or part-time workers is that they technically have the same basic protections as anyone else in their industries. Workers’ compensation coverage is available from the first day a worker is on the job training. Even those who only have temporary employment arrangements may be eligible for medical benefits and disability benefits after they get hurt at work.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can help people reduce their financial losses related to job injuries. Those with more risk of getting hurt at work, like temporary workers, may need to educate themselves about workers’ compensation in case they ever need to file a claim.