2023 OSHA Whistleblower & Anti-retaliation Mandates For Employers To Mitigate Legal Risks

Webinar Background & Agenda:

This training comes at an important time as employee whistleblower retaliation claims under a spectrum of laws are on the rise and whistleblowers now have a significant incentive to lodge reports. OSHA and MSHA always conduct detailed investigations and usually issue citations or civil penalties in line with their findings. Moreover, myriad environmental DOT and Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower protections are also enforced by OSHA and can trigger safety and health inspections based on hazards in plain view or complaints raised in the course of an unrelated whistleblower investigation. This session is designed to provide detailed review of the latest updates to OSHA Act, Mine Act, and other whistleblower statutes whose causes of action are investigated and prosecuted by OSHA/MSHA. We will guide you on how to tackle these unwanted audits and issues to make sure your business setup stays in excellent shape.

The following will be discussed in detail :

• Latest whistleblower and anti-retaliation legal guidelines for employers by OSHA.
• Difference between whistleblower protections under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act and the 2016 expansion under 29 CFR Part 1904
• Documenting guidelines for legitimate business reasons for adverse actions against workers.
• How whistleblower protections under Section 105(c) of the Mine Act can apply to contractors and lead to personal liability for supervisors.
• Which actions constitute “protected activity” and when terminated workers can be granted temporary reinstatement during the pending whistleblower litigation
• Identify what statutory changes may be forthcoming and the status of litigation challenging OSHA’s expanded whistleblower protections
• Review of the OSHA online whistleblower complaint form
• List rights employees have in the workplace.
• Discuss types of reporting related retaliation.
• Understand how to positively contribute to a legally compliant workplace environment.
• Describe practical tips for complying with new guidelines.
• FAQs and Case Studies

About The Trainer : Joe Aitchison is HRComTraK Managing Principal and Senior Client Advisor. He provides Business & HR client advisory services and HR out-source services nationally.  He is a Human Resource professional with thirty years business management and HR consulting experience.  In addition to working with General Industry clients, he provides services to  multi plant International Tier I Automotive Manufacturing, Hospitality & Gaming, Retail and Food Processing Industries as well as legal, health care, benefit brokers and third party administrators. Mr. Aitchison is recognized as a leader in human resources and has obtained a lifetime certification as a senior professional in human resource management, SHRM – Senior Certified Professional and Healthcare Reform Specialist by the Healthcare Reform Center & Policy Institute. Mr. Aitchison has served on several for profit and not for profit boards.