1. Whistleblower and Retaliation Protection Gabriela Rosas Vice President of Human Resources

2. Overview What is a whistleblower? Who is covered? What you should know Success stories Where to report Additional Assistance 3. What is a whistleblower? One who reveals wrongdoing within an organization to the public or to those in positions of authority The disclosure by a person, usually an employee in a government agency or private enterprise, to the public or to those in authority, of mismanagement, corruption, illegality, or some other wrongdoing. Source: Freedictionary.com 4. Who is covered? Employees who report violations of various workplace safety, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, and securities laws 5. WhatYou Should Know Whistleblowers may not be: Transferred Denied a raise Have their hours reduced, or Be fired or punished in any other way because they have exercised any right afforded to them under one of the laws that protect whistleblowers. If any of the above occurs to you after a report, this is known as retaliation 6. Success Stories US Labor Department seeks damages for wrongly terminated Sandpoint, Idaho, employee Sandpoint Gas 'n' Go & Lube Center fired employee who filed an OSHA safety complaint "We are committed to protecting workers' rights to raise work-related safety and health concerns without fear of losing his or her job," said Galen Blanton, OSHA's acting regional administrator in Seattle. "We will not tolerate the reprehensible behavior exhibited by Sandpoint in this case. The employer is expected to pay to the fired employee back wages with interest, benefits and punitive damages.The suit also requests an order from the court permanently enjoining Sandpoint and its owner from violating the anti-retaliation provisions of the OSH Act and requires that a notice be posted for employees regarding their rights under the OSH Act. 7. Where & HowTo Report Online - Go to the Online Complaint FormWritten complaints that are signed by workers or their representative and submitted to an OSHA Area or Regional office. Download and Fax/Mail - Download the OSHA complaint form* [En Espanol*] (or request a copy from your local OSHA Regional or Area Office), complete it and then fax or mail it back to your localOSHA Regional or Area Office Telephone - your localOSHA Regional or Area Office. OSHA staff can discuss your complaint and respond to any questions you have. If there is an emergency or the hazard is immediately life- threatening, call your local OSHA Regional or Area Office or 1- 800-321-OSHA. 8. Additional Assistance http://www.whistleblowers.gov/index.html http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp- whistleblower.htm http://www.whistleblowers.org/index.php?option=com_cont ent&task=view&id=34&Itemid=63 9. Overview What is a whistleblower? Who is covered? What you should know Success stories Where to report Additional Assistance