Warehouse employees have been working harder than ever before during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. As other workers stay home for fear of getting sick or to care for a loved one–or because they have contracted the virus themselves–and as the demand for goods and services grows, warehouse employees are putting in longer hours. While this may mean extra wages, it also means a risk of harm. Warehouse workers, such as Amazon employees, have complained of burnout, being overworked, repetitive stress injuries, a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), working in close quarters, and other workplace risks. If you have been injured on the job as a warehouse employee, our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at the office of Schibell Law LLC can help.
Workers Squeezed to Keep Up with Demand
Warehouse workers in various sectors are feeling the pressure right now, as consumer demand for food and goods ordered online and delivered to the home is greater than ever before. To accommodate for the demand, workers are putting in more hours than ever. In fact, one worker who is employed by Amazon explained that while they normally work a 40-hour week, they have been called upon to put in an additional 10-hour mandatory shift.
Working longer hours puts warehouse workers at risk of burnout, as well as occupational injuries, such as repetitive stress injuries and increased mental stress.
But that is not all.
The warehouse may not even be safe for employees. There have been complaints documented related to:
- A lack of PPE, which is necessary to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus;
- A lack of quarantining of workers who have symptoms of COVID-19 or who have tested positive for the disease;
- A lack of sanitation and other basic safety measures; and
- The necessity of working in close quarters and the inability to social distance based on the nature of the work.
What is more, many warehouse workers are also worried about retaliation, as well as being able to afford taking time off if they get sick or need to care for a loved one who is at home right now.
Call a Lawyer if You are a Warehouse Worker Who Has Been Harmed
The ancillary effects of overworking, overuse of muscles, repetitive stress injuries, and the psychological toll of not feeling safe at work are serious. While there is a high demand for warehouse workers to keep working, these workers need protection. It is the duty of employers to ensure that workers are safe and provided for in the workplace.
At the law office of Schibell Law LLC, we care about the workers who are supporting our country and our economy in this moment. Frontline workers like warehouse employees deserve protection. If you are a warehouse worker who has suffered harm or injury during this time, you may be entitled to benefits under workers’ compensation insurance. To learn more about workers’ compensation insurance and your options, please call our law firm today for a free consultation and advice you can trust.