State Law and Policymakers in Utah

State law and policymakers in Utah

In the US, policymakers are people who are involved in making decisions and plans of action for a larger organization, such as a political party or a level of government.1 Policymakers play a critical role in worker health because policy, or courses of action, influences how the government makes and enforces new laws that promote health and well-being in the workplace.2 So if policymakers understand worker needs and are committed to helping meet them, this can help improve workers’ lives in several areas, including healthcare,3 health-related issues in the workplace,4 occupational licensing,5 socioeconomic disparities,6 and other health and safety topics.7 Because they do not always benefit from lobbyists to share their concerns, policymakers must remain informed about the diversity, needs, and interests of the working class specifically.8 

On the global stage, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) have created resources for policy-makers to help them understand the need for healthy workplaces and how to take action to achieve them.9 In the US specifically, policy issues and policy-makers can be influenced by specific professional groups10 or at the different levels of government, such as federal, state, and local. Working with federal policymakers is more likely to impact federal law, while working with state policymakers can change state law. Advocates should keep in mind where they are trying to make change and then target policymakers in that arena specifically. 

This topic in Utah

In Utah, policymakers include the bicameral state legislature (e.g., the state Senate and state House of Representatives), city leadership such as mayors and city councils, and the leadership of non-governmental associations, such as schools, businesses, and local organizations. 

Most, though not all, Utah policymakers are conservative and aligned with the Republican party. This is in part because Utah's culture has long been shaped by the religious values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and continues to be so today, although changing demographics in Utah may lead to a shift in priorities. At present, however, conservative views tend to be reflected in Utah policies relating to work and occupational health. For example, the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints played an important role in making Utah a right-to-work state,11 a law that can make it difficult for workers to form effective labor unions.12 Religious protections are also robust in Utah law, but worded in such a way that non-majority religious accommodations can be denied,13 and such laws can allow employers to deny employment or services on religious grounds.14 

Some Utah policy has been criticized as being detrimental to worker rights to health, safety, and benefits. For example, a recent law provided more benefits to contractors, but did so without labeling them as full-time employees and granting them the security or protections that would come with this status.15 Utah is also challenging federal regulations on abortion care for employees,16 and as of 2024, signed into law a bill that would enable state officials to ignore other federal laws that they see as “overreaching."17

However, there have also been victories in Utah policy for worker rights. Early unions in Utah collaborated to win provisions like the United State’s first eight-hour workday, plus important victories in banning prison labor and ensuring compensation for workplace injuries.18 Today, unions across Utah have united to continue protecting workers’ rights,19 and public opinion also seems to be shifting in favor of unions.20 Paid leave laws are being examined to better cover modern workers.21 In other states, worker-led policy reformation has led to victories for better-paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, higher wages, and protection for frontline workers22 and hopefully Utah will see more of the same.