According to a recent survey, 62 percent of workers in the U.S. feel that their employer is trying to do more work with fewer resources after the economic recession.  Researchers call this “worker intensification” because employees are being asked to do more with fewer resources, in less time, and for the same amount of pay.

55 percent of workers have taken on more responsibilities after the recession and 70 percent of these have done so without an increase in pay.  In addition, 51 percent of survey participants reported that their added responsibilities at work have had a negative effect on their well-being.

The survey also says that as workplaces become more stressful, conflict between employees increases and employees experience a greater inability to concentrate and do their job to the best of their ability.  Furthermore, workplace stress leads to a greater number of employees taking sick leave and an increase in workplace accidents and injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, contact the Raleigh workplace injury lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311 to discuss your situation with one of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys.

Last week, legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives were reported to be debating the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regulations.

The focus of the debate was on a new regulation that requires roofers to use use safety harnesses in residential projects.  Head of OSHA David Michaels was asked to give a presentation to a House of Representatives subcommittee on the reasons for the new regulation, as well as a few other recent regulations.

While many legislators agree that the regulation will reduce workplace injuries and fatalities, others say it is not worth the cost and red tape it creates.  Michaels described OSHA’s regulations as “vitally important” in his appearance before the House subcommittee.

To learn more about what to do if a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident and is seeking workers’ compensation, contact the Raleigh workplace injury attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311 today.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently cited a Charlotte construction company, Crowder Construction Co., for causing multiple safety hazards.  Crowder Construction Co. is responsible for building the basin at the Gatlinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In addition, the company is responsible for building the basin at the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant which collapsed in June 2004 and killed two workers.  According North Carolina OSHA documents, in a separate incident, a worker was using a “job-made” ladder constructed by Crowder when it tipped over and the worker fell 16 feet.

The company is accused of creating a work environment with “recognized hazards” that could be fatal or cause serious injury to employees.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Raleigh workplace injury lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to learn more about receiving workers’ compensation.

On the first of the month, a teacher at Alderman Elementary School in Greensboro, North Carolina was attacked while trying to get some work done after hours.  The pre-Kindergarten teacher was in the school’s parking lot at around 7:45 P.M. when a man approached her with a gun, tied her up and locked her in a closet at the school.  The man also stole her credit cards and SUV.

Now, district officials are considering implementing tighter security measures at schools after working hours.  ”It could have been any employee.  This person is just someone trying to do a good job and trying to do the right thing in terms of what they’re focusing on in the classroom,” said chief of staff for Guilford County Schools Nora Carr.

If you or someone you know has been injured while on the job in Raleigh, contact the Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to learn more about your rights as an employee.

Recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that both North and South Carolina rank among the lowest rates of workplace accidents and injuries in the country.  Other states with low ratings included Texas, New York, Virginia and Louisiana.

In 2009, North Carolina reported an all-time state low rate of 3.1 workplace injuries per 100 full-time employees.  This is down from a rate of 3.4 in 2008.  In addition, South Carolina had a low rate of 3.2 injuries per 100 full-time employees, up just .1 percent from 2008.

Last month, officials from the federal OSHA and the U.S. Labor Department became concerned that North and South Carolina’s Occupational Safety and Health Administrations were not punishing companies and employers that commit workplace safety violations harshly enough.  While the average federal OSHA fine is $970, the average North Carolina OSHA fine is $512 and the average South Carolina OSHA fine is $281.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is concerned that the low rates are a reflection of employers not reporting incidents workplace injuries.

To discuss filing a workers’ compensation claim, contact an experienced Raleigh workplace injury lawyer of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to learn more.

In regards to labor and workplace standards, 85 percent of workers agreed that workplace safety was their top priority in looking at work environments.  Workplace safety beat out other common labor issues such as maternity leave, overtime pay, or paid sick leave.

In addition, the study conducted by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center for the Public Welfare Foundation in Washington showed that 12 percent of workers reported being injured while on the job last year and 37 percent reported needing medical care while on the job.  Furthermore, while the majority of workers said they were happy with their workplace’s safety standards, the majority also said they often felt stressed on the job.  Stressful workplaces often cause accidents and injury to workers.

Director of the survey, Tom W. Smith, stated, “Workplace safety is too often ignored or accidents taken for granted…It is striking that coverage in the media and public opinion polls have virtually ignored the 11 workers killed by the blowout and destruction of the drilling platform (in the Gulf of Mexico)”.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Raleigh workplace injury lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick PLLC at 919-851-3311 to learn more about your rights.