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STRESSED OUT WORKERS: SOCIAL MEDIA, UNSYMPATHETIC CUSTOMERS, AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A TikTok trend, is stressing out Starbucks Baristas.  The NyPost reports that customers who are TikTok fans are essentially harassing workers with outlandish orders.  One famous order is from an Edward.  Edward’s drink is a double blended drink containing 13 ingredients. nypost.   Unless a commensurate tip is provided for time consuming orders, it is  understandable why these customized drinks can be a source of Barrista stress, anxiety and upset.  Further, too many of these orders simultaneously ordered could place a real grind on the fulfillment of regular orders.

Customer stress can a valid basis for a Workers’ Compensation “Stress” or “Psyche” claim. Should the stress from being inundated by these ridiculous time consuming orders give rise to an emotional disorder, a Barrista could consider filing a workers’ compensation claim to seek medical attention and benefits.

Are There Any Requirements to File Such a Claim?

Before filing a workers’ compensation claim, it is important for an Injured Worker to have some understanding as to whether they will prevail.

The “Six-Month” Rule

Given a claim relating to excessive order, an employee must have six months of employment that need not be continuous.  If you have issues as to whether you worked six months, an attorney consultation is indicated.

“Predominant Cause”

The employee must provide by a preponderance of the evidence that the injury was caused by work.  There is a defense of good faith personnel action.   If there are various sources of work stress such as write-ups or discipline, an attorney consultation is indicated.

What If I Need Advice?

If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for 27 years. Contact us today for more information.

 

Thinking Too Much On The Job Can Get You Injured

Can thinking too much at work get you hurt?

A new study investigated this issued of Cognitive Stress.  Cognitive Stress is the term used for thinking.  Commonly, people describe the term as “multi-tasking.”

The study discussed the impact of cognitive load on an individual’s ability to perform secondary tasks.

This article will discuss Cognitive Stress, Cognitive Stress’ impact on Workers, and the “Monday Morning Effect.”

What Is Cognitive Stress?

Cognitive Stress can also be described as Cognitive Load.

For example, I can ask you to remember four numbers.  Then, I can ask you to remember eight numbers.  Then, I can ask you to remember sixteen numbers.   Each time there are additional items to recollect it gets mentally more difficult to perform.

One’s judgement can also be affected when subjected to cognitive stress. Bonsang, Eric and Caroli, Eve, Cognitive Load and Occupational Injuries. IZA Discussion Paper No. 14137, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3794083

Thus, individuals may be decision when stressed that they would not make when not stressed.

How Does Cognitive Stress Impact Workers?

The study found that the “handling a large number of non-professional activities generates a threat for health at work for individuals in high-risk occupations and with a low level of education.”  The study suggested “that when an individual is employed in a high-risk job, distraction is a problem but that a high-enough educational level may help coping with the cognitive burden imposed by multi-tasking.” Bonsang, Eric and Caroli, Eve, Cognitive Load and Occupational Injuries. IZA Discussion Paper No. 14137, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3794083

In sum, it appears that individuals with higher educational levels may be able to “multi-task easier than those with less education.

Is There a “Monday Morning Effect?”

Monday Mornings are controversial within workers’ compensation.  There are many within the workers’ compensation field that question the veracity of claims that occur on Mondays.   One main driver for this opinion is that a worker can get injured on the weekend and then claim that it occurred on the next workday.  Generally, the next workday is Monday.

Cognitive Stress theory suggests that Mondays are a time at which individuals get mentally reacquainted with their tasks.   Thus, there is a higher level of mental stress activity versus during the week.  Currently, the study did not have appropriate data to make such an analysis.   The study’s authors believe that their findings were definitely consistent with the possibility. Bonsang, Eric and Caroli, Eve, Cognitive Load and Occupational Injuries. IZA Discussion Paper No. 14137, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3794083

What Does This Mean?

In California Workers’ Compensation, since the system is “no fault” in terms of injury causation, this information may not offer most than an explanation as to how the injury occurred.   In a disputed case, this information, however, may explain how and why a disputed injury occurred.

What If I Need Advice?

If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for over 28 years. Contact us today for more information.

 

 

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