The states of California and Oregon ranked among the best to work for in the United States, while North Carolina and Mississippi fell to the bottom of the list, according to a new report from Oxfam.
As part of the Labor Day anniversary, Oxfam America released its “Best States to Work In Index,” which includes an interactive map that analyzes labor policies in all 50 states, plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.
“The index tracks 26 policies in three areas: wages, worker protections, and union rights. These areas focus on filling the gaps left by federal inaction to support workers and their families,” the report states.
California achieves the first position, followed by Oregon; while Washington, DC occupies the third position; New York fourth, and Washington state fifth.
The worst states to work for are North Carolina, followed by Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.
Dr. Kaitlyn Henderson, senior research adviser for Oxfam America’s Domestic Policy Program and lead author of the Index, said the analysis highlights how lack of federal policy unequally affects states.
“The impacts of this inaction are not affecting all communities equally,” acknowledges the expert. “At the end of the day, it comes down to where these workers live and what jobs they have, and it’s clear that these realities are exacerbating inequality in the United States, especially based on gender, race and social class.”
The states with the best salaries
The report highlights that the five states that lead the index have some of the highest minimum wages in the country, plus employers provide paid vacations and guarantee protections against child labor.
“Three of the five – California, Oregon and Washington – have high temperature standards for outdoor workers,” it says. “In contrast, the bottom five states have a stagnant federal minimum wage of $7.25, don’t require paid vacation, and adhere to so-called ‘right to work’ laws.”
There is a particular focus in the report, related to the heat wave in the US, something that is known as a “hot labor summer”, in addition to highlighting greater labor organization and strikes by workers demanding better conditions .
“Four states tie for first place in the organizing rights dimension with a perfect score of 100: California, the District of Columbia, New York and Oregon,” it says.
That’s while Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas all scored zero on “organizing rights.”
“These states do not have laws that protect the right of workers to unionize, whether in the private or public sector,” the report states. “This makes it very difficult for workers in these states to negotiate better wages, benefits and working conditions.”
State decisions are key
The index also reveals how policy decisions at the state level can somehow address the lack of federal action.
“The past twelve months have brought some exciting developments in new worker protections, particularly in several Midwestern states. That includes Michigan, which struck down its ‘right to work’ law (the first state to repeal such a law in decades).”
Illinois and Minnesota also made adjustments by approving paid leave policies, which cover both family leave and sick leave.
Of particular note is Minnesota, where workers can receive up to 20 weeks of paid family leave, the report notes.
“Too many crucial federal labor standards have not changed in more than a decade. However, the best states for workers have consistently passed new state laws that fill those gaps,” Henderson added. “Our research shows a strong correlation between strong employment policies and better measures of household income, food security, and even lower infant mortality rates.”
The impact of better labor policies, Henderson notes, is positive on family income, food security and even lower infant mortality rates.
“It is critical that the federal and state governments invest in worker wages, protections, and collective action, as these policies can have a significant impact on improving the well-being of workers and their families,” he said.
And the women?
The report is part of the third edition of the “Best States for Working Women.”
“On this index, Oregon is the ‘best’ state for working women, followed by California, New York, Illinois and Washington,” it says.
The “worst” states for working women are North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia.
“Wage stagnation and occupational segregation in the United States disproportionately harm women, specifically women of color, who are often trapped in low-wage jobs that lack paid family or sick leave and are overwhelmingly the breadwinner for their families,” Henderson lamented. “This year’s federal passage of the Pregnant Workers Equity Act and the PUMP Act are important steps in the right direction, and these policies are just the beginning.”