whistleblower retaliation

OSHA retaliation complaints rising – Have you checked your anti-retaliation program lately?

October 14, 2021

Most workers in the United States are protected from retaliation for raising workplace health and safety concerns and for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses. While these protections have been in place for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a record number of complaints from covered employees claiming retaliation by their employer. Since

Anti-retaliation protection in the workplace

Anti-retaliation policies don’t always stop bullying

Shut down for speaking up

Edward Stern

May 11, 2018

People will not risk their jobs to speak up about problems. They cannot afford it. That is reality. It is the very reason why the Occupational Safety and Health Act has protection for whistleblowers. It is also the reason for the Federal Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA).

Amtrak ordered to reinstate fired safety whistleblower

January 30, 2017

A supervisor who was fired by Amtrak after raising concerns about safety and fraud was the victim of retaliation, according to OSHA, which ordered the company to reinstate the employee and pay him nearly $900,000 in back wages and damages.

OSHA issues best practices for workplace anti-retaliation programs

January 18, 2017

OSHA has issued Recommended Practices for Anti-Retaliation Programs to help employers create workplaces in which workers feel comfortable voicing their concerns without fear of retaliation. The recommendations are intended to apply to all public and private sector employers covered by the 22 whistleblower protection laws that OSHA enforces.

Safety manager who cooperated with OSHA gets fired

January 12, 2017

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Jasper Roofing Contractors Inc. and its owner/chief executive officer, Brian Wedding, for terminating their safety manager after he cooperated with a safety and health inspection by OSHA. The suit results from an investigation by OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program.

Worker fired for calling 911 after amputation

January 9, 2017

When a co-worker severed part of his thumb in July 2014, a food processor at a beef jerky manufacturing plant acted quickly, helping him apply pressure to the wound and using her cellphone to call 911. Before responders could answer, the company's owner ordered her to hang up. Two days later, she was terminated.

Safety 2016: A look back

OSHA’s David Michaels discusses initiatives

Benita Mehta

July 5, 2016

OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels on Tuesday, June 28, in his address at Safety 2016 outlined some of the agency’s plans.

CSX retaliates against safety whistleblower

May 20, 2016

CSX Transportation Inc. violated the anti-retaliation provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act when it suspended an employee at its Selkirk locomotive shop after he notified management of numerous alleged safety hazards and FRSA violations, OSHA has found.

DOL sues Lear Corp., three managers who retaliated after employees raised safety concerns

Suit seeks back wages, damages for violations of the OSH Act

March 8, 2016

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Lear Corp., doing business as Renosol Seating LLC, and three of its managers for suspending and terminating employees who reported workplace hazards in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

OSHA announces final rule on handling retaliation complaints

March 12, 2015

OSHA this week published a final rule finalizing procedures for handling whistleblower retaliation complaints filed under Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The SOX Act protects employees who report fraudulent activities and violations of Securities Exchange Commission rules that can harm investors in publicly traded companies.