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You Need Strong Advocates During Times Of Legal Turmoil

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Can employers retaliate against whistleblowers?

On Behalf of | Apr 30, 2020 | Firm News

All employees in Pennsylvania and throughout the U.S. deserve a safe workplace. In fact, this is more than a privilege, it is a right and entitlement. Unfortunately, when a business does not prioritize worker safety, many employees do not recognize that they have a right to speak up. If you notice violations in the workplace that compromise safety, you do not have to stay quiet. 

OSHA, according to the United States Department of Labor, enforces a Whistleblower Protection Program. This program states that employers cannot retaliate against their employees for activities protected by the whistleblower laws. 

What are whistleblowing activities? 

Most workers are familiar with OSHA’s standards in the workplace. After all, employers are supposed to train their employers in OSHA’s standards. Every industry has its own safety regulations. If you report a safety violation, according to the Occupational Safety & Health Act, an employer cannot retaliate against you. 

What is retaliation? 

How do you know if your employer is retaliating against you? Retaliation is any type of adverse action that your employer takes against you because of your whistleblowing activities. This might include firing you, demoting you or denying any benefits. While firings and discipline are common retaliation tactics, you may even witness your employer becoming aggressive towards you. 

You may experience harassment or intimidation. Some employers claim other subtle acts against them. For instance, an employer may mock or accuse an employee of poor performance despite there being no change. If you feel as though the employer retaliated against you for being a whistleblower, you have can file a whistleblower complaint against the company.