OSHA Fines Union Pacific Railroad for Wrongful Termination

OSHA reported on March 6 that its whistleblower investigations revealed that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a switchman/conductor after they reported and sought medical care for a work-related injury.

The company violated the law by firing the worker after they reported their work-related injury to management and sought medical treatment.

OSHA has ordered Union Pacific to reinstate the employee and pay back wages, interest, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney's fees totaling over $315,000.

OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program enforces 25 whistleblower statutes that protect employees from retaliation for reporting violations of workplace airline, anti-money laundering, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, criminal antitrust, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, maritime, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, safety and health, securities, and tax laws.