New study ranks Utah as one of the worst states to work in

SALT LAKE CITY –  A new study from Oxfam titled “Best and Worst States to Work in America 2022” ranks Utah as 44th overall in the country. 

The lowest rank possible is 52nd. The study included Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia along with all 50 U.S. states in its rankings.

The scores are based on three categories: wage policies, worker protections and right to organize policies. In those categories, the study ranked Utah as 43rd in wages, 30th in worker protections and 44th in right to organize policies. 

Some of the policies that factored into the score included Utah’s $7.25 minimum wage that covers 19.7% of the cost of living for a family of four, the lack of mandatory paid sick and family leave, and few unionizing protections for workers. 

Higher ranked states included Washington, Oregon and California.

Work in Utah

In January of this year, Utah had around 5,000, part-time or full-time employees who lost their job due to the pandemic, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The minimum wage in Utah was last raised in 2008 from $6.55 to $7.25. Additionally, the state stays in alignment with the Federal Minimum Wage, according to Minimum-wage.org.

Furthermore, if you are a minor working in Utah the state allows employers to pay a wage of $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.

Minimum-wage.org has a wage calculator for employees to ensure they are getting fair compensation at their jobs.

Related:

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• Why teachers are burning out and leaving districts scrambling to fill jobs