Chicago Workers' Compensation Attorney Blog

Our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers are continuing to monitor the unemployment numbers, which, aside from subtle fluctuations over the last year seem to have flatlined nationwide. As of September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the unemployment rate has remained relatively unchanged at 9.6 percent, leaving 14.8 million American workers out of work with few places to look for it.

Overall, the number of long-term unemployed – those out of work for 27 weeks or longer – has dropped slightly since May. With that said, the number of “involuntary” part-time workers – those essentially forced to accept part-time work either due to cutbacks or unavailability of full-time work – has ticked upward. So has the number of discouraged workers climbed by 500,000 since September 2009.

Discouraged worker numbers are most concerning because that demographic of the unemployed or under-employed have essentially given up hope and have limited resources to deal with the financial and emotional stress that accompanies their current status.

For those fortunate to still have a job, the Miami Herald reports, the outlook is just as bleak. In many offices, cutbacks have diminished the number of workers, thus the remaining staff is taking on heavier workloads. Pair that with a fear of job loss and the round-the-clock accessibility that comes with a largely online work environment and additional cuts in workplace-tied benefits, and we are facing perhaps the most stressed-out workforce in history.

Employees and employers are both feeling the pressure, which creates a tense work environment where more mistakes are made, workers are getting sick, and some are simply giving up and quitting outright. The boss may be stressing while trying to keep his game-face on in front of the staff, but it’s the lower-level employees who are really feeling the pressure.

In such an environment, an employee can be hesitant to report a Chicago work injury. In some cases, he or she may even decide not to report a work accident out of fear of job loss or other retaliation. Such a decision can negatively impact their ability to collect damages. In some cases, the extent of an injury may not be known until weeks or months after the fact. Failure to document a work accident can result in an inability to collect damages in the future.

Laws are in place to protect injured workers from retaliation. If you have been injured on the job in Chicago or the surrounding area, please make a report and contact an Illinois workers' compensation lawyer to discuss your rights.