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Illinois Work Injury Blog

Illinois Work Injury Blog - providing information and resources regarding work injury and workers compensation issues in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Investigation into Unsafe Conditions at Cook County Morgue

 Tuesday, January 31, 2012
"The Illinois Department of Labor is investigating the Cook County morgue after the agency received an anonymous complaint about unsafe conditions, an official said today," according to the Chicago Tribune.

The complaint, as well as photographs of the morgue that have been leaked to the press, indicate that human remains at the Cook County morgue have not been properly stored or cared for.

The Illinois Department of Labor, which is in charge of investigating complaints and work conditions for all public employees in the state, has received five complaints regarding working conditions at the Cook County morgue since 2010.

Unsafe Work Conditions


Whatever your profession, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) mandates that your employer provide a safe working environment. In fact, OSHA standards dictate that

"Workers are entitled to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. To help assure a safe and healthful workplace, OSHA also provides workers with the right to:

• Ask OSHA to inspect their workplace;
• Use their rights under the law without retaliation and discrimination;
• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the • OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. The training must be in a language you can understand;
• Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace;
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses;
• Get copies of their medical records;"

If you believe your workers rights have been violated by your employer, you should contact an experienced Illinois workers compensation attorney. There are lawyers with significant expertise in workers rights and workers compensation benefits who can explain your options. The Illinois Workers Compensation Act spells out workers rights and what employees are entitled to. An experienced attorney will work with you to understand these rights and help you file a claim if your rights have been violated or if your workers comp benefits have been delayed or denied.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon. To find out more about our disclaimer click here.

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Disney Amends Park Dress Code

 Monday, January 30, 2012
Reportedly at the repeated request of employees, Walt Disney world has amended their dress code. The new policy, which will take effect on February 3, allows theme park workers to grow beards - a first for the company in the 60 plus years the theme parks have been operational.

The Chicago Tribune reports, "It is one of two notable changes Disney is making to "The Disney Look" — the clean-cut, all-American appearance that Disney has demanded of its theme-park employees from the day its original theme park, Disneyland, opened in 1955. The rigid code was instituted by Walt Disney himself, who wanted to distinguish his theme park from the sleazy carnivals of the time."

Another amendment to the dress code includes the addition of "casual Fridays" for employees who are out of the public eye and do not have interactions with theme park "guests." The latest "Disney Look" amendments follow other changes in recent years; in 2000 employees were allowed to have mustaches for the first time and two years ago the company stopped making pantyhose mandatory. The latter was more practical than fashionable; wearing pantyhose in the middle of summer was often hot and uncomfortable for employees.

Workers Rights | Dress Code Restrictions


Company dress codes are in place to be enforced. It is not a violation of workers rights to ask employees to adhere, provided that the dress code is enforced company-wide. Otherwise, by singling out an individual employee, red flags might be raised regarding possible harassment.

As an example, if the dress code does not address "fit" but a particular manager requests that an employee wear tighter clothing as per the dress code, that employee will likely feel like they are being harassed or that their workers rights have been violated.

The best way to avoid confusion is to adhere to the dress code. If you are notified that you are in violation of the dress code, ask for it in writing. Lastly, if you feel you are being targeted unfairly, singled out or harassed over your work attire, you should speak with an Illinois workers rights lawyer for assistance.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon. To find out more about our disclaimer click here.
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The Down Side of Telecommuting

 Monday, January 30, 2012
While telecommuting has become increasingly popular over the past decade, a new report indicates that telecommuting may have hit a wall.

"It's true that telework reduces pollution, improves productivity, and cuts real estate costs for employers while increasing retention and employee loyalty. But no matter how advanced the technology, something is lost when face-to-face contact disappears. Indeed, a new report found that the number of teleworkers declined in 2010 for the first time since data collection began nearly a decade ago. While there's no denying that telecommuting can provide tremendous benefits, organizations are finding that virtual collaboration has its limits," reports CNN Money.

Those who have experience telecommuting sometimes feel disconnected from coworkers, particularly if they have never met their coworkers in person. It does not feel the same to introduce yourself via email or webcam as it does to meet in person. As a result, you may not build a working relationship with others as quickly or as solidly as if you were physically in the same place.

Part of the reason for the disconnect is that coworkers in a traditional office setting often meet needs not related to work - friendship and socializing. You may have a coworker or group of coworkers who you go out for coffee or lunch with, strengthening your relationship in a way that you would not if you were co-telecommuters.

One way you can try to combat the isolation that you may be feeling is by coming into the office from time to time. It will help you introduce yourself to new faces and reconnect with coworkers. It can also be a nice change from the monotony of telecommuting.

Additionally, there are some industries that are not conducive to remote work or telecommuting. However, to try to meet employees needs, they are flexible in ways they can be. For example, allowing employees to choose their own hours or even work days and job sharing are two ways to offer workers some flexibility around when they work if they can't control where they work.

Regardless of where you are putting your time in every day, it is important that you are following all safety standards and practices - especially ergonomics - to prevent against work injury. You should also take regular breaks to avoid stress or injury from repetitive motion. This is an additional benefit to working in an office setting, as employers are more likely to remind employees of safety standards and procedures in an office or physical company-operated facility.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon. To find out more about our disclaimer click here.
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Does Workers' Comp Apply When Working From Home?

 Tuesday, January 24, 2012
As an increasing numbers are spending at least part of their work week telecommuting or working from home, employees may begin to question whether workers' compensation benefits are extended to their home office. The answer? Possibly.

If you are injured while performing your job function, you are likely entitled to workers' compensation benefits - even if you are working from your home office or other off-site location. If you are injured while working, and you can prove that the injury was a result of or occurred during a work-related task, you may file a workers' compensation claim.

Unfortunately, workers' compensation claims can be tedious and are further complicated when employees are not working in a corporate office environment. For this reason, it is important for telecommuters to keep good records and clearly separate their work and leisure time when working from home or alternate location. This is also important for workers who spend all or some of their time on the road - primarily sales people.

In fact, there was a case where a traveling saleswoman - Liana Leordeanu - was in a near-fatal car accident in Austin, TX. However, "when she applied for workers' compensation insurance benefits for the accident, Leordeanu was denied — even though she was on company business, traveling in a company-provided car toward her company-furnished office," reports the Austin American-Statesman.

According to the insurance company, and an Austin court, the trip was not 100% work-related because Ms. Leordeanu's return to her home office also meant she was returning home for the evening. The woman appealed the case, which went to the Texas Supreme Court. Ultimately, the court ruled in Ms. Leordeanu's favor and determined that she was, in fact, eligible for workers' compensation benefits.

If you have sustained a work related injury, you should speak with a qualified workers compensation attorney - particularly if you have been injured while working from home or another off-site location. At The Law offices of Dworkin and Maciariello, our workers compensation lawyers have extensive knowledge of Illinois workers compensation act and workers rights. Our experienced Illinois workers compensation lawyers fight diligently for your recovery to get the justice you deserve.

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DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.

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Company Wants Employees to Stay Home, Telecommute

 Monday, January 23, 2012
Electronics company Plantronics wants their employees not to come into the office. Why? Because the headset manufacturer believes that telecommuting can provide flexibility and productivity benefits over coming into the office each day. As a result, they have designed their new corporate headquarters around the idea that the majority of their employees will be out of the office - working from home - more days than not. In fact, they do not even have enough desks for every employee to be there at the same time.

Fast Company reports,"Plantronics is hardly the first company to encourage its employees to telecommute, but it’s still rare to find an organization that’s so dedicated to the idea. It might be a little bit of an adjustment to people used to sitting at work all day every day, but the generation just coming out of school–the one that’s used to having instant access to people through cell phones, Skype, and email–expects nothing less. With gas prices steadily climbing, the prospect of working remotely three days a week seems especially attractive.

And Plantronics has no limits on how often employees work from home–it just asks that they make sure their home workplaces are ergonomically safe."

More and more companies are trying out telecommuting, and with good reason. The two primary reasons telecommuting is gaining popularity are:

1. Workers' Wants: As the aging baby boomers are eased out of the workforce and replaced by Gen Y and younger generations, expectations about telecommuting are changing. The new generations of workers have always had computers and cell phones, and are used to being mobile and "plugged-in." Many prefer to telecommute as a result.

2. Travel Expenses: The cost of commuting is rising with energy costs. If energy costs do not stabilize, employees who are not able to work from home at their current job may look for jobs closer to home or with more flexibility. It is likely that any pay cut will be at least partially offset by the savings in commuting costs.

In spite of concerns about employee productivity, studies show that workers feel empowered by the freedom to complete work tasks where and when they choose. By enabling them to work in a comfortable environment and time frame, employers are reaping the benefits of maximum productivity and at the same time eliminating costly overhead for maintaining physical office space for all employees.

One important factor that is largely overlooked with telecommuting, however, is ergonomics. When a company controls employees' working enviroment, they can ensure that each employee's workspace is ergonomically correct to avoid work injury. With telecommuting, it is important for the employee to understand the importance of setting up their home office with ergonomics in mind to prevent work injury. For example, an ergonomically correct home office requires

• Proper height and distance of the computer monitor to avoid neck pain and eye strain.
• Adjustable chair with attention paid to the correct chair height and angle from the floor and work top.
• Keyboard placement and support to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.
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Moms Who Work Are Happier, Healthier According to Study

 Thursday, January 19, 2012
A new study whose findings were recently published reports that working mothers are happier than their stay-at-home counterparts - and it does not appear to matter how many hours they work.

"According to the study, 'Mothers' part-time employment: Associations with mother and family well-being' (which was published recently in the American Psychological Association's 'Journal of Family Psychology'), being employed has multiple benefits for moms -- and for their families. After interviewing hundreds of mothers repeatedly over the course of a decade, the researchers found that those who worked 32 hours per week or less were more sensitive to their kids' needs, less likely to have symptoms of depression, and more likely to split household duties with their spouses than mothers who were not employed. And, the researchers found, even going to full-time status didn't adversely affect working moms' well-being," reports Yahoo Shine.

It is likely that many mothers will find the results of this study both an encouragement and a relief - especially those who are not able to choose whether they go back to work but are forced to by financial constraints. Hearing that going back to work will make moms healthier and happier may be an unexpected benefit of re-entering the workforce post-baby.

It is also possible that moms who have to work after their children are born are able to take advantage of flex-time or telecommute, making it easier than ever to be a "work-from-home-mom." The time spent not commuting can be allocated to other pursuits - spending time with family and friends, working out, effectively reaching a favorable work-life balance.

A few other ways of striking a favorable work-life balance by decreasing stress and subsequently avoiding work injury include:

• Breaks: This goes beyond taking your allotted fifteen minute breaks and hour lunch break. It can also mean changing up what you are working on when you begin to feel tired and fatigued, or just stepping away for a brief moment to use the facilities or get a drink of water. Doing so can help avoid work injury, especially those caused by repetitive motion.

• Good Health: One of the best ways to avoid work injury is by taking care of yourself. This means maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and getting a full night's sleep. When you are happy, healthy, and well rested you are better equipped to perform your essential job functions.

• Support: If you feel overwhelmed by tasks at work or at home, ask for assistance from your spouse, boss or coworkers before you get overworked. Overworked employees are more likely to make mistakes or sustain a work injury.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon. 
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Unexpected Cons of Working in Glass Offices

 Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Wall Street Journal is reporting "Amid a push toward openness in the workplace, more people are working in glass offices or conference rooms. Some 68% of U.S. offices have an "open plan" or "open seating" design, with the desks separated by low or no walls, according to a 2010 survey by the International Facilities Management Association, Houston. The remaining office and conference rooms are often walled in glass.

The benefits are undeniable, employers say—better communication and collaboration, lower real-estate and energy costs, more natural light and expansive outdoor views for all. Many employees say the light and openness improve their mood."

Unfortunately, as the article goes on to highlight, there are some downsides to an open floor plan that employers may not have taken into consideration, including unexpected work injury:

• Privacy: Or lack thereof. While personal conversations and phone calls may be discouraged at work, sometimes you need to broach sensitive subjects - both personal and business - in the workplace and do not want an audience to do so.

• Noise: Sound travels through glass much more easily than traditional walls and doors. Some companies have tried to counteract this issue by utilitzing white noise machines.

• Physical Hazard: For some, the glass walls and doors can be a hazard - particularly new employees or visitors to the company. They may not realize that a barrier, door or wall is there until they run into it. Even if no work injury is sustained, your pride could very well be wounded if your accident has an audience.

While these newly designed open-concept spaces may have come with unexpected hazards and annoyances, the response to them is still largely favorable. Employees and employers alike seem to think that the open environment promotes collaboration and creativity, and while it may not be the right fit for all businesses, it can certainly be a good choice for some companies.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.

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How Playing At Work Increases Productivity

 Tuesday, January 03, 2012
The Wall Street Journal reports, "Companies are trying to bring more play to the workday. Striving to make everyday business tasks more engaging, a growing number of firms, including International Business Machines Corp. and consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., are incorporating elements of videogames into the workplace.

They're deploying reward and competitive tactics commonly found in the gaming world to make tasks such as management training, data entry and brainstorming seem less like work. Employees receive points or badges for completing jobs or meeting time limits for assignments, for example. Companies also may use leaderboards, which let players view one another's scores, to encourage friendly competition and motivate performance, experts say."

This is just the latest way that employers are trying to motivate employees and up productivity utilitzing "outside of the box" thinking. Other examples of employers trying to add a little fun into employees' workdays include:

• On-site Fitness Centers: Most large companies have a fitness center on-site or offer a fitness benefit to employees. But many stop short of actually encouraging employees to utilize the facilities. Employers who take the next step and make physical activity part of the corporate culture will likely reap the benefits - healthier, more relaxed and productive employees.

• Flex-time: As we mentioned last month, many companies are now offering telecommuting and flexible hours to employees. And the results are positive.

• Community Outreach: Many companies have community service days or encourage some type of community outreach on the company's dime. It gives employees a chance to feel fulfilled and connect with their community without sacrificing time or their paycheck - which might otherwise be barriers to doing so.

• Free Food: Providing free good quality food to employees can make their lunch and coffee breaks that much more enjoyable.

• Travel Perks: As a reward for working hard, many companies offer perks or incentives that let employees play hard - utilizing company resources like corporate apartments or company transportation for their leisure time.

These are just a few examples of ways that employers can show their employees that they are valued and encourage them to take breaks and have fun to increase productivity. While not all of the above are feasible in all industries, the basic idea is the same: keep your employees happy and they will likely work harder.

DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Dworkin & Maciariello shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.
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