New Study Shows Injured Retail Employees Miss 24 Workdays

When a retail employee is injured on the job, he or she will miss about two dozen days of work, according to a new study. The study conducted by AmTrust Financial Services reinforces the importance of maintaining a safe working environment in the retail industry. Many people assume that work-related injuries are only problematic in the construction and manufacturing industries, but this isn't necessarily true. Researchers from AmTrust Financial Services found that retail employees are forced to miss an average of 24 days of work when they are injured on the job.

About the Study

For the study, researchers analyzed data involving some 20,000 retail employees over the course of three years. In addition to discovering that retail employees missed 24 days due to injuries, researchers found that the most expensive injuries sustained by retail employees were falls from an elevates surface, followed by repetitive stress injuries and then vehicular collisions.

Retail employees who were injured on the job by falling from an elevated surface -- such as a fall from a ladder or scaffolding -- received an average workers' compensation payout of $21,000; retail employees who sustained a repetitive strain injury on the job -- carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, etc. -- received an average workers' compensation payout of $14,000. Finally, retail employees who were injured during a vehicular collusion received an average workers' compensation payout of $13,900.

"Analyzing three-years of data gave us new insights into why people in retail miss work, what kind of injuries are the worst or most expensive for employers, and how long it takes for an employee to return to work," said AmTrust Vice President Matt Zender.

Creating a Safe Retail Workspace

If you own or manage a retail business, you should take the appropriate measures to create a safe and positive working environment for your employees. As revealed in this study, work-related injuries can cost your retail business big bucks. When a retail employee is injured, he or she will miss about two dozen days of work. And depending on the type of injury he or she sustained, it may cost your retail business up to $21,000.

Here are some ways to lower the risk of injury in the retail industry:

• Place nonslip rugs and mats in areas where slip-and-fall accidents are common. 
• Illuminate the workspace so that employees can easily see their surroundings.
• Offer employees regular breaks so that they aren't overworked.
• Train employees on when and how to repair work-related injuries.

You can learn more about this study involving the impact of work-related injuries in the retail industry by clicking this link.