Today’s post was shared by the U.S. Labor Department and comes from blog.dol.gov
Many people take advantage of the end of one year and the beginning of the next to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. The Labor Department looked at the future of work in the United States in a similar manner, coming up with challenges and choices regarding the future of work at a three-day symposium earlier this month.
The post specifically mentions “increased exposure to workplace health and safety risks.” As we all enter 2016, I challenge you, whether worker or employer, to think about how you’ll address the workplace risks with which you are faced. Please contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer with questions if you are hurt on the job or have concerns about an unsafe work environment.
As a reminder, the offices of TruckerLawyers.com and Rehm, Bennett & Moore will close at 3:30 p.m. Central on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and open again at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4.
Have a happy and safe New Year’s celebration, and please consider reflecting on the past year and discussing or setting safety goals for 2016.
Last week, the Department of Labor held a three-day symposium on the future of work in America. We brought together nearly 400 people from academia, the business community, labor unions and other worker advocacy groups, foundations and government to explore the challenges and opportunities resulting from fundamental shifts in employment relationships in our economy. We discussed how labor laws and the department can keep pace, promoting shared prosperity and protecting workers while encouraging innovation. Here are some diverse perspectives from just a few of the many insightful participants: A few key themes came up over and over during our discussions at the symposium. CHALLENGES Major changes in the workforce underway for the last three decades have created challenges for millions of workers in terms of stagnating wages, violations of labor standards, and increased exposure to workplace health and safety risks. These changes also are affecting the way that we have historically provided benefits and skills training. We must craft workplace policies that consider and respond to these changes and that reflect our fundamental values, priorities and principles, which are constant regardless of whether the industry at issue is low tech, high tech or somewhere in between. CHOICES Economic, technological and social forces are influencing the nature of work. But businesses, workers and the public sector have choices to make in shaping our future. We can embrace cutting-edge business… |