Certainly, the majority of employers have tried to protect their employees from the ravages of this disease. But too many businesses – especially huge corporations – have put profits ahead of worker safety.
Workers in Peril
Here are examples of how some companies and government regulators failed to adequately protect workers from the pandemic:
- Meatpackers
Meatpacking plants have been a hotbed for COVID-19 transmission. One study showed that a large industrial meatpacking facility increased county per capita infection rates by 20% to 160%. Workers and their families claim that these plants ignored evidence of rising infection rates and instead implemented policies and practices that facilitated rather than diminished transmission. - Warehouse Workers
New York State Attorney General Letitia James has filed suit against Amazon, saying the company “has repeatedly and persistently failed to adequately protect its workers in two New York City facilities amid the coronavirus pandemic and has even retaliated against those who voiced concerns.” Amazon’s profits rose 220% during the pandemic. - Nursing Home Residents and Staff
Numerous reports have shown a massive breakdown in corporate and government oversight of infection management at thousands of nursing homes, contributing to skyrocketing deaths among residents and staff. Yet, many states have passed or are considering laws that give nursing homes immunity from legal action related to negligent care during the pandemic. - Grocery Workers
Grocery workers have suffered a significant percentage of pandemic deaths, all while profits grew exponentially. And these workers aren’t out of the woods yet. Reports show the number of grocery workers infected or exposed to coronavirus has climbed 24% since March 1st, while deaths from the virus have jumped 30%. - Regulators
Government oversight is also under scrutiny. Investigations show that the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has been lax in inspecting or reporting meatpacking plants. Response to worker complaints has been slow, and OSHA issued few penalties to employers. These complaints allege failures to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing, managers pressuring sick employees to continue working, and a lack of employee notification about co-worker infections.
The legal options for holding companies accountable for exposing workers to COVID-19 are limited and under attack. It is tough to prove that a worker was infected while on the job, especially in industries like meatpacking, where many workers live or travel to and from work together. Meanwhile, business interests are pushing immunity laws that shield companies from lawsuits related to COVID-19 injury or death unless the worker can prove gross negligence, willful misconduct, or failure to follow public health orders.
Minimizing Workplace Transmission
Protecting yourself and coworkers from contracting coronavirus remains critical, especially as infections spike with the Delta variant. Here are some ways to help prevent transmission in the workplace:
- Keep up to date on all state, city, and county regulations in regards to COVID-19.
- Encourage your local and state policymakers to prioritize workers, and further protect communities from this pandemic.
- You may or may not be living in a high-transmission community. Check out the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) page for weekly data on the county you live in.
- As always, follow health, hygiene, mask, and social distancing guidelines as the pandemic continues.
- Get vaccinated if you can! Go to Vaccines.gov to find a provider near you.
