OSHA & Workplace Violence: Cussing Out an Employee

摘要

I recently was going through Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) news releases, and one release in particular caught my eye. It appears that the Department of Labor (DOL) has filed its first lawsuit involving workplace bullying. DOL filed a lawsuit in federal district court in February against Duane Thomas Marine Construction LLC and its owner, Duane Thomas, alleging they terminated an employee in violation of Section 11 (c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). Section 11 (c) prohibits discriminating against any employee because the employee has filed a complaint related to the OSH Act or has exercised a right afforded by the Act. The employee, who was not identified by OSHA, complained of unsafe work conditions because of fear of workplace violence.