OSHA Cautions Employers About Retaliation
Volume: 19 | Issue: 19
April 13, 2020
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reminding employers that it is illegal to retaliate against an employee who has reported unsafe and unhealthful working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OSHA’s whistleblower laws prohibit retaliation against employees for reporting injuries, illnesses, or unsafe conditions to their employers, participating in OSHA inspections, and, under certain conditions, refusing to work when there is reasonable fear of death or serious injury. In general, the employee must have a reasonable, good faith belief that a violation of the law occurred or could occur. Retaliation can include terminations, demotions, denials of overtime or promotion, or reductions in pay or hours.
If you have questions about retaliation and/or whistleblower activity, please contact a KZA attorney.
KZA Employer Report articles are for general information only; they are not intended and should not be construed to be legal advice. Reading or replying to such articles does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In addition, because the subject matters and applicable laws discussed in Employer Report articles are often in a state of change and not always applicable to every type of business entity or organization, readers should consult with counsel before making decisions based on the same.