DOL Seeks Input on Whistleblower Program

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking for the public to weigh in on federal whistleblower laws. 

It comes as the agency looks to improve outreach and training initiatives related to the more than 20 related laws OSHA enforces under the Whistleblower Protection Program.

Among other things, the many laws protect employees from retaliation when employees raise concerns about workplace safety. 

“Employers need to be especially vigilant when employees exercise their rights under these statutes given the breadth in which retaliation is defined,” CBIA director of compensation services and safety Phillip Montgomery said. 

“Employers need to be especially vigilant when employees exercise their rights under these statutes given the breadth in which retaliation is defined.”

CBIA’s Phillip Montgomery

“Retaliation can range from firing or demotion to more subtle actions like isolating, ostracizing, mocking, cutting overtime, or even accusing employees of poor performance.”

OSHA is looking for comments about what kind of assistance the agency can provide to help explain the agency’s whistleblower laws to employees and employers

The public meeting is set for Oct. 24 from 1 pm. to 4 pm EDT. Individuals must register by Oct. 17.

Employers can submit comments by Nov. 7 to the Federal eRulemaking Portal assigned to Docket No. OSHA-2018-0005.

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Phillip Montgomery (860.244.1982).