Tennessee Ranks Among Top Ten Worst States to Work in America
A recent study analyzing data in three key areas has named Tennessee among the top ten worst states to work in America.
Three Key Areas of American Work Life
The study conducted by OxFamAmerica.org looked at three key areas of American work life: wages, worker protections, and rights to organize. The score in each area was weighted to calculate a final score for each of the 50 states, along with Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
Federal Minimum Wage Stall
The study points out the stall in the federal minimum wage which hasn't seen an increase since 2009 when it was raised to $7.25 per hour. While many states have increased the minimum wage for their residents, many have sadly settled uncomfortably into the federal minimum wage, or as the study from OxFam calls it, "a poverty wage."
<p>States have had to step up for workers and their families in the past few decades, as Congress has stalled on taking action. For example, while the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour for 14 years, most states have mandated higher wages.</p><p data-block-key="bb6b2"> </p>
Top Three Best States for Workers
When it comes to the top of the list, or the states considered by the data to be the "best to work," the study says that California, Oregon, and the District of Columbia are the top three.
Tennessee Ranks in the Bottom 10
For workers in the Volunteer State, the ranking is pretty grim. OxFam places Tennessee in the #45 position (out of 52), making it the 8th worst state for workers. The study points out that the cost of living for a family of four in Tennessee is $35.91 per hour. The minimum wage of $7.25 is only 20.19% of that amount. To see more on Tennessee's ranking and how the score was determined, visit OxFamAmerica.org.
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