Top 10 Worst “Accomplishments” of the American Labor Movement

3.  Workers Compensation

Before the passage of Worker’s Compensation, employees could sue their employer for workplace injuries that were the fault of the employer. This was fair, and it forced negligent employers to make sure that there were safe work spaces. It was also fair, because if an accident was the fault of the employee, he would not receive compensation for the injury. But after the passage of Worker’s Compensation legislation, employers are forced to pay into an insurance fund to cover all employees injured on the job, regardless of whose fault it is. This means that negligent employers do not suffer correspondingly for their negligence and have no incentive to improve safety at their establishment. It also means that negligent employees do not have to take responsibility for their behavior. As a result, the no fault insurance creates an expense that all must pay equally and rewards those who are at fault, while punishing those who are not. If you have ever wondered why there is so much corruption in the workplace, you can thank the Labor Movement.