Whistleblowers Make Their Work Environment Safer For Everyone

When we go to work we expect that our workplace is safe and we trust our employer to have taken every precaution to make sure that all the necessary health and safety provisions have been complied with. However, all too frequently we read of reports where whistleblowers have taken their cases to court simply because after rightfully voicing their concerns and complaining to their supervisor, they then find themselves out of a job.

Fired for pointing out a health hazard

One such example is when in March 2011 a cashier working at Kwick Stop Convenience Stores in Shawnee, complained to their supervisor that the drinks boxes in the cooler were being stacked too high and causing a safety hazard. The supervisor refused to do anything about it and so the cashier filed a complaint at their local Occupational Safety and Health Administration office. Just a few weeks later they were fired. The US Department of Labor settled the case against Modern Oil. Co. Ltd who were trading as Kwick Stop Convenience Stores and ordered them to reinstate the cashier in their full time job and to pay them $17,000 in back pay of wages lost.

If you have lost your job and you believe it was because you pointed out a workplace hazard, then don't sit at home suffering. Contact a firm of whistleblowing attorneys who will be able to ascertain whether you have a case to answer. It needn't cost you a thing, since most attorneys operate a free consultation where you can air your grievance and ask questions. Even if you do decide to take your employer to court, your representing attorney will likely operate on a contingency basis which means that you won't pay a dime unless he wins the case.

Whistleblowers protection

OSHA enforces whistleblowing provisions of the OSH Act and additional statutes that protect employees who report their employers for such things as unsafe or unhealthy conditions in the workplace, certain public safety hazards, environmental problems, and certain federal security frauds. Under these laws it is illegal for an employer to terminate or suspend a person's employment, demote them, cut back on their hours, harass them or threaten them in any way. If they are found to do this, then the employee has grounds for recourse. For example, if an employee lost their job because they blew the whistle on their boss, then they could file a claim for damages which could include emotional trauma and suffering from losing their job, loss of wages, and also re-instatement of that job, if they so wish.

Whistleblow laws are complex

Laws concerning whistleblowers are very complicated in the United States and can be quite different depending on which state you reside. The WPA (whistleblower Protection Act) of 1989 was introduced to protect whistleblowers within federal agencies. However, it doesn't apply to all federal departments and depending on which state you reside in, determines what and who is covered under the WPA. In addition an environmental whistleblower has 30 days to submit a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration but if you happen to be a corporate whistleblower or an airline worker, then the same governing body then allows 45 days for the claim to be submitted.

So how do you work your way through the complicated business of whistleblowers protection?

The answer is quite simply you don't. This is where a team of experienced whistleblower attorneys are there to help and offer support and assistance. They will know which path to take and also, most importantly, how many days you have in which to file a complaint. Whistleblowers may be regarded as tell tales or sneaks in the workplace, but by standing up for what they believe is right, they can and do help prevent accidents and make the workplace a safer place for everyone.