The top 5 U.S. states for workers: "One of these states will provide you with the best financial benefits."

While the U.S. has few legal protections for its workers on a national level, the federal minimum wage has remained $7.25 per hour since 2009. Additionally, although there is federal protection for unpaid family leave for some workers, the country does not offer either paid family nor paid sick leave.

Oxfam's senior researcher, Kaitlyn Henderson, states that many states have taken action to address the gap left by federal inaction by passing their own laws to improve worker wellbeing.

Oxfam has released its 2024 Best and Worst States to Work in the U.S. report, which evaluates 27 different policies across three categories: wages, worker protections, and rights to organize. The report includes metrics such as the minimum wage to cost of living ratio for a family of four and protection for collective bargaining.

According to Henderson, the states at the top have made significant efforts to implement progressive policies that benefit low-wage workers and families, particularly in the United States. For its research, Oxfam considered the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as states.

The top five best states to work in, along with their overall score out of 100 and their individual scores for wages, worker protections, and the right to organize.

Washington, D.C.

Overall: 85.67

Wages: 90.22

Worker protections: 70.24

Rights to organize: 100

According to Yannet Lathrop, senior researcher and policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, D.C. leads all other states in terms of wages, with its minimum wage currently at $17.50 per hour and its tipped minimum wage phasing out at $10 per hour nationally.

California

Overall: 85.11

Wages: 75.27

Worker protections: 85.71

Rights to organize: 100

"According to Henderson, this state is leading the way in establishing workplace protections, with policies that safeguard both farm and domestic workers."

Oregon

Overall: 83.53

Wages: 65.07

Worker protections: 92.86

Rights to organize: 100

"Oregon is a great example of a state that has all four of the policies we track regarding scheduling, including a rule that certain workers must receive a minimum 14-day written notice of their schedule, says Henderson."

New York

Overall: 83.08

Wages: 70.19

Worker protections: 85.71

Rights to organize: 100

According to Henderson, New York was the first state in the US to pass a domestic workers Bill of Rights, which includes the right to overtime pay and a day off every seven days.

Washington

Overall: 75.75

Wages: 76.88

Worker protections: 71.43

Rights to organize: 80

According to Henderson, Washington has a bill that requires employers to provide workers with written descriptions of their work quotas and any bonuses associated with meeting or exceeding those quotas.

Lathrop states that workers in certain states will benefit from policies that increase their earnings and the types of benefits they receive. The impact of these policies on worker well-being is evident.

"Henderson states that there is less occurrence of poverty and food insecurity, as well as fewer workplace injuries, including those caused by heat or warehouse work."

The minimum wages in North Carolina and Mississippi are $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal minimum, while Georgia's minimum wage is $5.15 per hour for employers not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. None of these states have paid family leave or particularly strong (if any) rights to organize laws.

Henderson states that the laws in the top five states can be easily scaled at the federal level.

""When will they be passed?" she asks, confident that they will work."

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