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Many employees have experienced a moral dilemma at one point or another in their careers: report their employer’s wrongdoing and face possible retaliation, or remain quiet and let their employer get away with it.
It’s important for you to know, however, that there are several federal laws that protect whistleblowers from such retaliation. Below, we discuss how to file a whistleblower complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) while protecting your rights.
OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program
OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program is meant to encourage workers to come forward regarding their employers’ wrongdoing by promising protection from retaliation.
This program enforces the provisions of more than 20 statues that protect workers from retaliation for reporting their employers’ violation of safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities, and tax laws.
After filing a whistleblower complaint, workers are protected from adverse actions from their employer including firing or laying off, demoting, denying overtime or promotion, or reducing pay or hours.
How to File a Complaint
There are several different ways for whistleblowers to file a complaint, including the following:
- Online: Complaints received online will be forwarded to the appropriate State Plan for a response.
- Fax/Mail/Email: Fax, mail, or email a letter describing your complaint to your local OSHA office.
- Telephone: Your local OSHA office can discuss your complaint with you and respond to any questions you may have.
- In-person: Your local OSHA office can accept your verbal or written complaint and provide information as needed.
If you need assistance filing a whistleblower complaint to OSHA, our Sacramento attorneys are here to help you through the process as efficiently as possible while protecting your privacy.
Contact Kershaw Talley Barlow at (916) 520-6639 to schedule a free consultation.