During the holidays and the months leading up to the busiest time of year for many stores and businesses, seasonal workers are an invaluable piece of the workforce. Many seasonal workers are part time employees that allow businesses to staff more people then they otherwise would to cover for the busier shopping days of the year. These seasonal workers are eligible for Connecticut workers’ compensation if they are injured on the job.
In fact, seasonal workers are often more likely to be injured on the job then workers who are full time at a company and year round. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the most obvious is lack of experience. Seasonal workers are often trained in a short amount of time and rushed onto the job to make sure they are there in time to fill the needs of shoppers.
The good news is that if you are a seasonal worker there are some things you can do to make sure that you do not get injured on the job and you have a good experience while working for your temporary employer.
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Always make sure you attend and pay close attention to any health and safety training that you are required to attend. These are often held virtually so you should be able to attend them on your own time, but if they are held in person you will need to attend them live and pay close attention to the rules and regulations of your new employer.
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When working, if you have questions, especially as they relate to safety protocols, make sure you ask. It can be intimidating to be a new employee and not know something, but you should always ask. It is better to feel a little embarrassed asking a question then it is to get hurt while on the job. Asking a question and getting the help of a full-time year-round employee is one of the best things you can do for your safety.
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Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing. If there is something that requires you to take actions that you have either not been trained on or have limited experience with you should ask a colleague to take care of it for you or train you on how to do it safely. While it may seem good to take initiative, if you get injured you will cause more harm then the good you were trying to do in the first place.
Seasonal workers are entitled to file for Connecticut workers’ compensation if they are injured on the job. In many cases they are more likely to get injured while working than those who are in the jobs for the whole year, but you can follow these steps to make sure that you stay safe if you’re working a job that is new to you. If you do your best and follow all the rules you may end up being a permanent employee of the company after the holidays pass.
If you do find yourself injured you may need to speak with a board certified workers’ compensation attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will learn about your situation and help you protect your long-term interests.
