OSHA On the Lookout – Employers Cautioned on Retaliation Against Whistleblowers

OSHA has released a reminder that it is illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for reporting unsafe and unhealthful working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. They list terminations, demotions, denials of overtime or promotions, and reductions in pay or hours as examples of retaliation.

OSHA emphasizes their Whistleblower Protection Program and the strict enforcement of whistleblower provisions through the 20+ whistleblower statutes that protect employees from retaliation for reporting violations.

This reminder serves as a warning for employers to keep in line with OSHA’s regulatory framework during the coronavirus pandemic and is one of several OSHA will be on the lookout for. In their interim enforcement guidance memorandum for enforcing the Respiratory Protection standard 29 CFR § 1910.134 OSHA includes specific guidelines for citations during the shortage of N95’s, and even though OSHA’s Guidelines on Preparing for COVID-19 does not include specific standards for COVID-19, all recommendations are enforceable with current OSHA requirements.

For more information, visit our website, or contact Steven Grubbs, Amanda Flanagan, Joe Garnett, or Alma Aguirre to discuss your matter.

OSHA has released a reminder that it is illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for reporting unsafe and unhealthful working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. They list terminations, demotions, denials of overtime or promotions, and reductions in pay or hours as examples of retaliation.

OSHA emphasizes their Whistleblower Protection Program and the strict enforcement of whistleblower provisions through the 20+ whistleblower statutes that protect employees from retaliation for reporting violations.

This reminder serves as a warning for employers to keep in line with OSHA’s regulatory framework during the coronavirus pandemic and is one of several OSHA will be on the lookout for. In their interim enforcement guidance memorandum for enforcing the Respiratory Protection standard 29 CFR § 1910.134 OSHA includes specific guidelines for citations during the shortage of N95’s, and even though OSHA’s Guidelines on Preparing for COVID-19 does not include specific standards for COVID-19, all recommendations are enforceable with current OSHA requirements.

For more information, visit our website, or contact Steven Grubbs, Amanda Flanagan, Joe Garnett, or Alma Aguirre to discuss your matter.