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Working for a small business can have various benefits including working closely with the owner and building strong relationships. However, even if you get along with the owner, you still need to protect yourself as an employee. This means you should see what the business offers, learn what you should have as an employee and how to protect yourself as an employee.
Understand the Safety Protocols
As you work at a small business, you need to understand the safety protocols in place, so you don’t make dangerous mistakes. Otherwise, you run the risk of injuring yourself if you don’t follow the rules. Some small businesses may require you to wear hard hats while others may ask you to wear an apron to protect your body while you work.
You should review the safety protocols and read all of them, so you can protect yourself while you work at the business. To add to this point, if your boss ever asks you to do something against the rules, you can quote the protocols to avoid anything dangerous while you work. If there are any safety risks involved at your business, then there should already be monthly or yearly training that they are providing. If they are not, it is a good idea to bring this up to your human resources department so that they can make that a permanent part of the schedule. Everyone should feel confident about being safe while working at your chosen business store or facility.
Know Your Rights as an Employee
You must also make sure you understand your rights as an employee whenever you work at a small business. Sometimes, small businesses don’t know all the rules for employees, so you should know your rights to avoid problems. That way, you can talk with your boss if you notice any issues when it comes to your rights and overall safety.
For example, if you face an injury on the job, you may have the right to make an L&I claim to receive pay while you recover. After all, you don’t want to face monetary consequences because of the mistakes of the business, so make sure you understand the rights available to you. If you are unsure about your rights in any way, make sure you reach out to a professional who can inform you of rights you may not know about. They can also help you decide what course of action you would or would not like to take moving forward.
Keep a Paper Trail
Protecting yourself on the job also involves preventing yourself from getting in trouble for something you didn’t do. Unfortunately, you may end up in a situation where a coworker tries to blame you. This can happen if someone asks you to do something against the rules, and the action leads to serious consequences for the business.
Keeping a paper trail involves getting the proof needed to protect yourself. For example, if you think something might go poorly, you should keep all the emails, messages or papers you received. Doing so allows you to pull them out if you receive a false accusation, so you can protect yourself from unwarranted consequences. It is of the utmost importance that you are able to prove what may or may not have happened in terms of any negative experiences or situations you may have been involved with. Not only does this make it easier for you, but it usually isn’t that difficult to keep a paper trail. It is better to be prepared just in case you need anything instead of not feeling that you are prepared in an undesired situation.
Have Insurance When Possible
If you work for a small business full-time, you should see your options for some insurance benefits . Insurance stands out as one of the most important benefits you can receive since it can protect you from serious medical bills. If you get injured, you can use your insurance to avoid paying thousands of dollars for the injury.
To add to this point, insurance can also protect the small business you work for. If you get injured at work, the insurance can cover it instead of the business itself. This means the business won’t lose as much money, so you can protect each other by receiving insurance as a form of compensation for your work. When you have great insurance, you are more likely to be able to cover any unforeseen costs. This can be greatly beneficial in terms of having financial stability in case anything goes south. This way you can protect yourself.
Seek Breaks When Possible
You can face serious mental and emotional fatigue if you have to work without any breaks. Make sure you understand when you can take breaks, so you can keep yourself safe. For example, most states allow you to take breaks after you work for a certain period, so you should understand what breaks you can legally take. That means making sure you are taking them even if you are very busy. Your mind and body need to take a break so it is imperative that you don’t run yourself too hard. If you feel that you have too much work and don’t have time for breaks, it is time to talk to your boss and let him know that the workload is too much.
This should also include required lunch breaks, so you can relax and get some food without working for too long. Otherwise, you could find yourself exhausted at work which can affect your performance. You should also seek time off, so you can spend some time away from your work, focus on relaxing and let yourself mentally and emotionally recover.
Conclusion to Protect Yourself
Even as you work with a small business and develop relationships, you still have to protect yourself. This includes protecting yourself physically while also ensuring you protect your career, so make sure you take the necessary precautions. Doing so can help you avoid injuries while also maintaining your credibility in the field. This is very important.
