At this time of year, many people in Hollywood and South Florida look for seasonal work to earn extra money in time for the holidays. More jobs open up in the retail and even manufacturing sectors during the holiday rush as more customers shop.
While a seasonal job can mean more money, however, seasonal workers run the risk of serious injury. Unlike full-time workers, seasonal workers may not get a chance to get used to their work environment and may get less training when compared with traditional, full-time employees.
If you are a seasonal worker, reduce your risk of Homestead and South Florida work injuries with these tips:
- Look out for fatigued work. Taking on a second job can be tiring and working fatigued can increase the likelihood of injuries and mistakes. Even if you take on extra work, be sure to get enough rest and sleep to do your job safely.
- Make sure you are classified correctly. Read the work agreement carefully to understand what you are agreeing to. Pay close attention to whether you are classified as a contract worker, employee or as another type of worker. You may have a harder time getting benefits such as workers’ compensation if you are misclassified. If you do not understand your employment contract or have concerns about it, review the agreement with an attorney.
- Know your rights. You have the right to a reasonably safe workplace and you have the right to refuse unsafe or illegal work. Before you start your job search, visit the Florida government website to learn more about labor laws which might affect you.
- Get training. Ask whether your workplace offers training and take any training you are permitted to. If your workplace does not offer training, look for other sources of safety training. It’s a smart investment in your working life.
- Make sure you are supervised or mentored. At the very least, ask to be mentored by an experienced employee or ask to work with an experienced employee so you can learn on the job.
- Report unsafe work conditions. Unsafe work conditions don’t just affect you; they can cause injury and even fatalities for everyone who works in the same location. You can report unsafe conditions with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
If you have been injured in the workplace and need assistance with workers’ compensation laws in Homestead or want to know about South Florida legal remedies in your situation, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to arrange a free accident consultation with a Homestead workplace injury attorney.