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Whistleblower Vindicated After Reporting Hazards to OSHA

Jan. 7, 2000

An employee who was illegally fired for reporting a hazardous workplace condition receives $15,000 in back pay from his terminating employer.

EHS Today Staff

An employee of a residential treatment facility for the mentally challenged in New Paltz, N.Y., who alleged he was illegally fired for reporting a hazardous workplace condition has been vindicated by OSHA.

He will have all references to being fired removed from his personnel files and receive $15,000 in back pay.

According to Patricia K. Clark, regional administrator for OSHA, the employee worked as a resident manager at Gateway Community Manor in New Paltz, a not-for-profit agency devoted to the training and development of mentally and physically challenged adults.

He was terminated from his position in April 1998, after he expressed concerns for himself and other staff members regarding exposure to bloodborne pathogens in connection with conducting a blood test on one of the residents.

In a judgment entered by the U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, the defendant denied it violated any provisions of the OSH Act but agreed to pay $15,000 in back wages to the employee.

The court order also requires the defendant to not discharge or otherwise discriminate against any employee for filing a complaint under the OSH Act.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.