Tennessee Factory Workers Forced to Stay Amid Deadly Hurricane

Work Whistleblowing: Impact Plastics

Work Whistleblowing #6

Tragic news from Erwin, Tennessee: After Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods, Lidia Verdugo, an Impact Plastics employee, lost her life. According to a GoFundMe set up by her family, Verdugo and others sought safety on a flatbed truck, but were swept away by flood debris. She is now the fourth confirmed death from this group, with one employee still missing.

Impact Plastics is under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee OSHA, following allegations that management didn’t allow employees to evacuate despite flood warnings. So far, 12 Tennesseans have lost their lives due to the hurricane and flooding, including five from Unicoi County.

But here's the catch: We’ve totally lost touch with using our intuition at work. For me, once I see something, I can’t unsee it. So, if layoffs are happening all around me—even if my boss swears I’m safe—I’m on high alert. I’m watching every word my directors say, every look they give. Yeah, maybe this level of hyper-vigilance could use a therapist’s touch, but honestly, there’s value in staying sharp and aware. Being hyper-alert in the workplace can give you an edge.

Key Points

• Uncover how workplace coercion pressures employees to stay put even in life-threatening situations.

• This isn’t just about one tragic event—it’s a wake-up call on why trusting your gut in the workplace could be a life-saving decision.

• Bonus Video: Get my exclusive take on how we’re parentifying our jobs, expecting them to provide all our security and validation—when they rarely do.

Read below for the whole scoop ⬇️