Whistleblower Investigation Draws $200K in Backpay, Damages

The U.S. Department of Labor is ordering a railroad company to reinstate and pay an employee $200,000 following a federal whistleblower investigation. 

DOL officials said the company suspended and later fired a claims representative who reported an injury, discussed safety concerns with their supervisor, and co-workers, and filed a complaint. 

The employee reported that an injury they believed was related to dust and chemical exposures during indoor workplace construction. 

OSHA investigators said the company violated the employee’s rights under the Federal Railway Safety Act. 

The act protects a worker’s right to report injuries, discuss them, and file complaints with regulatory agencies. 

Ultimately, DOL ordered the company to pay the employee more than $45,000 in back wages and $155,000 in other damages. 

The company must also remove negative reports from the worker’s personnel file.