If you have ever been a temporary worker for a company, you may have felt like you were treated differently than full-time employees. Maybe you didn't get the same attention from leadership or didn't get as much training as other employees. Unfortunately, it seems that many employers neglect their temporary workers, not only leaving them disconnected, but also sometimes putting them in harm's way.
According to the Center for Public Integrity, temporary workers are injured on the job more often than permanent employees. These incidents, however, could be easily prevented if employers treated temp workers like other employees by making sure they received adequate training and were not viewed as lesser employees. Fortunately, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is taking a stand to protect these individuals.
Yesterday, OSHA officials announced that inspectors would begin looking for signs in workplaces that temporary workers were being mistreated. Companies are expected to ensure that temp workers are provided adequate training in a language they speak. Additionally, inspectors will look for any signs that temporary employees are being put in harm's way.
Although OSHA does not have the capaticty to inspect all workplace in Texas and the rest of the country, hopefully the fact that they are emphasizing the safety and working conditions of temporary employees will prompt employers to ensure that they are following federal laws in the way they treat temp workers. Right now, there are 2.5 million temporary workers in this country. They deserve to be protected by their employers.
Source: The Center for Public Integrity, "OSHA strengthens protections for temp workers," Jim Morris, April 29, 2013
