So you get a job. You’re ecstatic, positive about the things that are yet to come. However, there are a lot of things you don’t know about the company since you’ve only come to the building once for an interview. As an employee, there are many things you should consider before accepting a job, which is not just about internal issues, but also external conditions as well.
According to Hunter Law Group, a known personal injury attorney Tampa, there are major external conditions that you should investigate before accepting a job, whether it’s a corporate or an industrial one:
- Workplace conditions – You should be able to know the place where you are working. Considerations such as building location, ventilation, the location of equipment, and your actual workstation should be considered if you prioritize safety on the job.
- Workplace dynamics – it isn’t just about the place where you work, it’s also how you are going to work. Will you be given safety equipment? How will you handle machinery? What is your usual flow of work? These are the workplace dynamics you have to think about, especially if you are bound to a contract.
- Workplace safety – there are two kinds of safety–one from hazards and second from health. Is your workplace a secure area? Does it keep in touch with the health regulations in the state? These are questions you want to list down before accepting the job.
Personal injury attorney Tampa company Hunter Law Group gives us an insight on how you can research about workplace safety even before getting employed.
How To Research Workplace Safety Before Accepting A Job
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Ask to be toured around your workplace and work station
Before accepting the job, you can simply ask your employer to give you a tour of the site where you will be performing the job. In many instances, this is possible if you are not to work remotely from the headquarters. They can bring you to the manufacturing site, factory, and office building that you will be working in. Be observant of your concerns. If other people will be in the same position as you, it will also be helpful to examine how they are performing the job and see how you will be doing the exact same thing later on.
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You can be in touch with government agencies such as OSHA
Unite States Department of Labor has a branch called OSHA, or Occupational Safety & Health Administration which protects the rights of workers. To help you find a third-party source that will determine if your company is following safety and health regulations, you can keep in touch with them to get more information. There are regional offices in many states, or you can simply visit their website at http://osha.gov to understand your rights as an employee and what are the usual safety standards that you should witness in your workplace.
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You may try to read reviews online
There are many websites that help employees see the reality within a workplace or a company. An example of this website is Glassdoor, where people can give opinions about their experience in the workplace by pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of working there. Although these online reviews may seem to be the least reliable, Glassdoor assures that these reviews are verified from previous or present employees. You can try to sift through the sections by looking at filters such as work environment and other similar variables.
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Ask previous or present employees
If you are recruited by someone or a friend recommended you to the job, you can also do your research by asking them about workplace safety of the company. It may be helpful to ask opinions of both people because asking either only one of the previous or present employee may give you a biased view. You can ask questions such as where they worked, how they did the job, how was the management in making sure about workplace safety conditions, and other pertinent questions.
Getting the job is one thing. But being safe in the job is another. Make sure to do these steps to be certain that your company-to-be follows safety guidelines.