Indiana & Kentucky Rank Among Some of the Worst States to Work
A recent study analyzing data in three key areas has named Indiana and Kentucky among the 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.
Indiana and Kentucky are in the Bottom Third
For workers in Indiana and Kentucky, the ranking is pretty grim. OxFam places Indiana in the #37 position (out of 52), making it the 16th worst state for workers. Similarly, Kentucky also ranked in the bottom third of the list in the #38 position. The study points out that the cost of living for a family of four in Indiana is $36.73 per hour and $36.16 in Kentucky. The minimum wage of $7.25 is approximately 20% of those amounts. To see more on Indiana and Kentucky's rankings visit OxFamAmerica.org.
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Gallery Credit: Stacker
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