If you picked up a side hustle in order to make some extra cash around the holiday season, you’re not alone. Countless workers pick up seasonal work during the winter months when they are laid off or are looking to make some extra money, but temp work can sometimes be dangerous because workers may not be all that familiar with standard safety practices. If you are injured while working your temporary holiday job, know that you have legal options when it comes to compensation. In today’s blog, we discuss how holiday temp workers can earn compensation if they are injured on the job.
Part-Time Holiday Work Injury
Whether you’re picking up shifts in a full-time capacity or you’re only working a couple hours during the week as seasonal help, it’s important to realize that you are entitled to workers’ compensation in the event that you suffer an on-the-job injury. You don’t need to be a full-time employee and you don’t need to have been working there for a specific amount of time before your injury in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation. As long as you are employed by the business and earning a paycheck, you are eligible for workers’ compensation from the moment you punch in on your very first day.
Do not let your employer tell you differently. They may be misinformed or they may be hoping that you’ll decide not to file an injury claim, but know that workers are a protected class here in Minnesota and in America. It doesn’t matter how big or how small the company is; if they are paying you for your labor, you are considered an employee who is eligible for workers’ compensation in the event of an injury.
Things get a little but murkier if you are a volunteer. In general, people who volunteer are not eligible for compensation, but you may still have more rights than you realize. If you are being compensated in a non-financial way, you may still be considered an employee who is eligible for workers’ compensation.
For example, let’s say that you always volunteer to work a couple days at the Christmas tree farm just outside of town. You don’t get paid for your work but the business always feeds you lunch on the days you work and allows you to take home a tree free of charge after your last shift. Although you were not financially compensated, you were compensated in other ways that had monetary value, and any good lawyer would be able to argue that you should actually be considered an employee who is eligible for compensation despite your loose label as a volunteer. It may sound like a niche example, but know that if you are receiving non-financial compensation as a volunteer, it’s very possible that you could earn a compensation award if you are injured while volunteering.
It’s important that you remember that you have rights when it comes to injury compensation because temporary holiday work can be more dangerous than a standard job. Odds are you’re less familiar with safe operating practices at the temp job, and other workers may be in a similar position, meaning their actions could also put you at risk. Be sure you understand how to reduce your risk of injuries from common temp work hazards before you start working, and don’t be afraid to speak up when something seems like an injury risk. It’s much better to prevent an injury in the first place than to try and get compensation after the fact.
If you have been injured during seasonal or temporary holiday work, consider connecting with a law firm to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve. In the greater Twin Cities area, we hope you’ll connect with the team at Hey Workers. Let us help make the best out of an unfortunate holiday situation. For more information, or if you have questions about an injury claim, reach out to our team today at (844) 439-9675.
