Have you been retaliated against? (Perhaps for raising a workplace safety concern?) Want to file a complaint with a federal agency about it?

OSHA has revised its online whistleblower complaint form in a way it says will help users file a complaint with the appropriate agency, guiding them through the process and providing essential questions at the beginning so they can better understand and exercise their rights under relevant laws.

Pop-up boxes

One significant change to the system includes pop-up boxes with information about various agencies for individuals who indicate that they have engaged in protected activity that may be addressed by an agency other than OSHA. The new form is available in English and Spanish.

"Workers who report unsafe conditions and wrongdoing have a range of legal protections from retaliation," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. "The revised online complaint form works to ensure whistleblowers file their complaints with the appropriate federal agency for prompt action."

Online not the only way

In addition to the online form, workers can file complaints by fax, mail, or hand-delivery; contacting the agency at 800-321-6742; or calling an OSHA regional or area office.

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of 22 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various securities laws, trucking, airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, rail, public transportation, workplace safety and health, and consumer protection laws. Detailed information on employee whistleblower rights, including fact sheets, is available online at http://www.whistleblowers.gov/.