Protecting whistleblowers is a big job. OSHA has been tasked by Congress to enforce the whistleblower provisions mandated by Congress. These laws guard employees in lots of industries throughout the nation who're brave ample to speak up once they see dangers, fraud or whatever that could endanger the general public. In 2009, the number of recent whistleblower cases filed per year has grown 37 percent.

One focal point within the whistleblower program is ensuring staff don’t get fired or retaliated against for reporting accidents. Not too long ago, the department of Labor filed a lawsuit against AT&T on behalf of thirteen injured staff who were suspended without pay for allegedly violating a corporate protection average. But an investigation through the OSHA uncovered yet another story. Triggered via complaints from a number of workers, the investigation located that the corporation was punishing staff for reporting injuries – which is unlawful.

Reporting injuries is a protected undertaking. If accidents aren’t reported, then dangers can’t be recognized and corrected. Discouraging workers from reporting injuries is unlawful and may put other employees at risk when critical dangers go uncorrected.

In 2013, OSHA helped to award more than $24 million to whistleblowers throughout the nation who had been retaliated against for exercising their rights. We additionally launched the new online criticism for employees who have faced retaliation.

To learn more bout OSHA’s whistleblower protection software and discover what the division can do for you, please visit www.Whistleblowers.Gov.