Worksafe Board Listing- 20261003

VISION: A world where jobs are safe and dignified and workers and their communities are healthy and thriving. MISSION: We work relentlessly towards systemic change to protect the dignity, health, and safety of workers.

Values:

Respect for workers and recognition of the dignity of all workers.
Equal Access to Justice in the workplace.
Prioritizing under-resourced and marginalized Workers in hazardous work settings, including low-wage and immigrant workers.
Seeking Worker-Centered and Community-Based solutions for protecting health and safety.
Using an Alliance-Based approach to advocate for workers.

DEI Statement:

See Vision, Mission & Values

Programs/Services:

Worksafe is a California-based organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the basic right of all people to a safe and healthy workplace.

Everyone has the right to work in a safe and healthy job – and to return home safe at the end of each workday. Yet California averages more than one workplace fatality every day. And that doesn’t include the thousands of workers who are seriously injured each year, nor the thousands who die or are disabled by occupational disease.

Policy Advocacy

Worksafe advocates for strong occupational safety and health (OSH) protections for workers — particularly low-income, immigrant, and contingent workers. We are a leading voice monitoring and addressing OSH rulemaking at Cal/OSHA and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.

Legal Services and Training

Worksafe promotes access to justice for low-wage and immigrant workers by providing free legal training and technical assistance to legal aid programs, worker advocacy groups, and worker campaigns. We are the only legal services organization in California focused on worker health and safety.

Movement Building

We envision a world where all workers are safe and healthy — and this vision is closely aligned with other movements for racial, gender, and economic justice. That’s why Worksafe is a leader in several statewide coalitions, working with organizations from multiple sectors to ensure that all workers can access safe, healthy, and fair work.

Public Outreach

Worksafe raises awareness about occupational health and safety to help people better understand the connections between work and health. We strive to build collective understanding of how workplace exposures intersect with broader public health and social justice issues.

Ideal Candidate:

Attendance

Attend Worksafe’s four yearly Board meetings and participate in at least one Board committee
Attend special meetings as needed

Organizational Structure & Governance

Provide general oversight of the organization and refrain from micromanagement of operations and program work
- Minimum of 9 and a maximum of 17 Board of Director members
- 4 year term; two-term limit
- Annual election of officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer)
Assume fiduciary and legal responsibilities for Worksafe
Respect, support, and uphold the Executive Director’s role within the organization, including development and management of staff and overall organizational stewardship
- Hire, evaluate, monitor and, when necessary, terminate the employment of the Executive Director
Provide fiscal oversight for the organization by reviewing and approving financial statements and budgets
Develop and monitor organizational structure and guidelines
Evaluation of Worksafe’s board governance structure and processes
Be willing to deal with conflict within the organization in an honest and respectful manner that is focused on the long-term health and viability of the organization

Leadership

Be dedicated to Worksafe’s mission, and ensure that the organization remains true to its values in its work
Consider playing a leadership role as an Executive Committee officer
- Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Recorder, Treasurer
Contribute expertise and skills to further Worksafe’s mission to promote health and safety for all California workers, with a focus on the most vulnerable
- Support Worksafe’s legislative and regulatory advocacy, serving as the major convenor of the OSH movement in California to promote effective remedies and protections for workers
- Support Worksafe’s role as a State Bar Legal Services Support Center that provides legal training, technical assistance, and advocacy support to legal services programs who serve low wage and immigrant workers.
Serve as a spokesperson for Worksafe and be able to convey its organizational vision, mission, goals, and past and current work
Make an annual donation to Worksafe of what is, for each Board member, a substantial amount
Actively participate in Worksafe’s annual fundraising activities: End of Year appeal and Annual Anniversary Event
Support Worksafe staff as needed
Be mindful of the Board’s self-management responsibilities
Be willing to participate in Board development activities
Inform the Board and Executive Director of any potential conflicts of interest

Values/Standards

Be ethically responsible to the communities and workers we serve
Support grassroots leaders and community processes
Be committed to diversity within the Board and staff
Challenge all forms of discrimination against any person based on physical, cultural, or socioeconomic factors, including but not limited to racism, sexism, ageism, and homophobia
Maintain high ethical standards when representing Worksafe or performing any duties related to Worksafe

Why you should consider joining this board:

Serving on Worksafe’s Board is a unique opportunity to support the governance of a unique worker rights organization with a long track record of improving workplace health and safety in California. From the start we have helped to train and empower thousands of at-risk workers. Since the early 2000s, we have provided support services to legal aid organizations across California so that they are better able to deliver occupational health and safety – along with workers’ compensation advice and representation – to their low-wage worker clients.

Fundraising/Financial Commitment:

Make an annual donation to Worksafe of what is, for each Board member, a substantial amount
Actively participate in Worksafe’s annual fundraising activities: End of Year appeal and Annual Anniversary Event

Additional Information:

None Provided

To Apply:

Year Founded:

1982

Service Region(s):

Statewide

Service Area(s):

Impact Litigation/Advocacy, Workers Rights

Annual Revenue:

$1 million – $5 million

Employees:

11-25

Board Members:

11-15

Length of Board Term:

4 year term; two-term limit

Board Meeting Type:

Virtual only

Service Per Month Expected:

Less than 5 hours

Board Meetings Per Year:

Four

Worksafe

Mission Statement