I started working for a landscaping company in CT March of this year. Things have been questionable from the start, but now that we’re in mid summer I’m really concerned for not only my health, but my coworkers, since we work outside all day long.
First, we are not provided any water. We have to bring our own water and hope it lasts us until the end of the day, or stop at a gas station in the morning before we get to the job site. Keep in mind, we have to buy it with our own money.
Once we get to the job site, if there is no bathroom available (there rarely is) we have to go in the woods. We work on mainly residential properties so that means finding an inconspicuous place to go, or holding it until we leave. God forbid if you have to go #2. The owner/supervisor will get upset with you if you leave the site to use the bathroom or get water because we’re “wasting the customers time”.
I’ve been told people have passed out on job sites before, and I’ve even had one of my coworkers have to take an extended break from getting really dizzy and overheated. Multiple people have brought this up to the owner/HR yet nothing has been done. I hate this job and I’m not planning on staying, I just don’t want these people to get away with this. It feels inhumane.