Half of U.S. Workers Believe Their Employers Put Profit Ahead of Protection

Under New York law, Employers Have a Duty To Maintain Safe Conditions and Provide Proper Equipment

A new national survey confirms what many injured workers have long suspected: safety often takes a back seat to profits. According to data from Brady Corporation, 57 percent of workers believe their employers prioritize profits over employee protection, and 54 percent say they don’t fully trust management or HR to create a safe work environment.

These findings echo what countless New Yorkers experience every day, in workplaces that cut corners on safety, overwork their staff, and gamble with employees’ health in the name of productivity. 

When profit pressure outweighs protection, it is workers who suffer the consequences. From construction sites to hospitals, restaurants, warehouses, and delivery routes, preventable injuries are the predictable outcome of inadequate training, understaffing, and ignored safety standards.

A serious fall, chemical exposure, or repetitive stress injury is rarely just bad luck. In most cases, it reflects decisions made by employers to save time or money at the expense of worker safety, situations that often require help from an experienced NYC workers' compensation lawyer to hold employers accountable and recover the benefits injured workers deserve. 

The Human Cost of Putting Profits First 

The survey paints a troubling picture of American workplaces. Nearly two-thirds of workers said their employers are unprepared for emergencies such as an active shooter or violent customer, and more than one in three feel unsafe because of threats of violence from the public, co-workers, or poor building security. When employees feel unsafe, they are more likely to experience stress, burnout, and mistakes that lead to injury. 

In New York, these conditions are particularly concerning in high-risk industries such as construction, transportation, and healthcare. The combination of long hours, physical labor, and tight deadlines often leads to corners being cut on safety. Workers are told to get the job done, even when equipment is malfunctioning or protective gear is unavailable. That pressure to perform is exactly what New York’s labor laws were designed to address. 

Employers have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe workplace, and ignoring known hazards can lead to both workers’ compensation claims and potential third-party lawsuits. The law recognizes that employees should not be forced to risk their health to keep their jobs or meet unrealistic production goals. 

The Most Common Ways Employers Compromise Safety 

When profit comes before people, certain patterns tend to emerge. Workers across industries report similar types of neglect that make injuries far more likely. Some of the most frequent examples include: 

• Inadequate training: Employees are placed on dangerous equipment or given new responsibilities without proper instruction, increasing the likelihood of mistakes. 

• Defective or outdated tools: Employers fail to repair or replace worn-out machinery, leading to crush injuries, lacerations, or repetitive motion injuries. 

• Understaffing and fatigue: Fewer workers are expected to do more, leading to exhaustion, slower reaction times, and preventable accidents. 

• Ignored safety protocols: Employers bypass required safety checks, fail to provide personal protective equipment, or skip hazard inspections. 

• Pressure to meet quotas: Workers feel compelled to rush tasks or ignore warning signs in order to maintain productivity levels. 

Shortcuts like these can violate both OSHA regulations and New York Labor Law. When an employer ignores these obligations and a worker is injured, an experienced NYC workers' compensation lawyer can help identify where safety broke down and pursue every available source of recovery. 

What the Law Says About Employer Responsibility 

Under New York Labor Laws, employers and property owners are required to provide safe work environments, maintain proper equipment, and ensure that workers are protected from known hazards. These laws are particularly important in construction and industrial settings, where unsafe conditions can result in catastrophic injuries or death. 

Workers’ compensation is the primary avenue for recovering benefits after a work injury. It covers medical expenses, partial wage replacement, and, in some cases, disability benefits. However, if a third party, such as a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the injury, a separate personal injury claim may also be possible.

Understanding how these claims interact requires experience and knowledge of both state labor law and the workers’ compensation system. 

For employees who feel their concerns are dismissed or their injuries minimized, legal help can make the difference between being ignored and being heard. A knowledgeable lawyer can gather evidence of employer negligence, review safety records, and prove that an accident resulted from cost-cutting rather than unavoidable circumstances. 

A Culture That Must Change 

The survey results underscore a cultural problem that extends far beyond any single job site. Workers are increasingly aware that profits often come before their protection, yet many fear retaliation for speaking up. That silence allows unsafe practices to continue and puts more people in danger. Holding employers accountable through legal action not only provides financial relief to injured workers but also encourages companies to adopt safer policies going forward. 

No employee should be forced to choose between earning a paycheck and staying safe. When companies value production over people, the law gives workers the power to demand accountability and compensation. 

For more than 90 years, Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP has represented New York’s workforce in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, recovering billions of dollars for hardworking New Yorkers. From construction and transit to healthcare and public service, our lawyers have stood up to employers and insurers that try to minimize injuries and deny benefits. 

Injured workers have limited time to act under New York law, and waiting too long can affect eligibility for compensation. A free consultation with a member of our legal team can help clarify your rights, preserve critical evidence, and bring peace of mind after a serious injury. Employers may put profits first, but workers have the law on their side. Contact us today. 

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