Whistleblower Protections Regarding Job Safety in Vermont

Workers, employees, contractors, and union laborers go to work every day and need to stay safe in order to return to work day after day. However, some job sites and companies do not promote a safe work environment for their workers, which could lead to a Vermont work injury. When workplace hazards are apparent, employers and employees need to work together to try and make the work environment safe.

Workers have rights to discuss their safety concerns with their employers, union representatives and other workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) encourages employees to discuss safety and health problems openly; however, if the employee is afraid of their company retaliating, they can make a complaint to OSHA confidentially.

The employee can request that OSHA not reveal his name to the employer, if he is afraid of retaliation. OSHA will grant this request and will not tell the employer the name of the person who complained or requested the inspection.

When a worker reports the unsafe work conditions to OSHA, he can complain by mail, email, phone or fax to his closest OSHA office and request an inspection of the workplace hazards. OSHA will then determine if there is reason that indicates a workplace hazard exists prior to investigating. If reasonable grounds are believed to be apparent, OSHA will investigate the workplace.

Protections for Workers

Many workers do not report unsafe job conditions, even when they know it could lead to a Vermont workplace accident. The reason workers fail to speak up is that most are concerned for their job and are afraid that their employer will find out and discriminate against them. However, there are whistleblower protections that the OSHA Act covers in Section 11(c).

Employees have a right to work in a safe and healthy environment without the fear of punishment if they complain about job safety and health hazards. The OSHA Act protects employees from such retaliation.

If you have refused to perform unsafe work or have reported a health hazard or job safety concern to OSHA and you feel that you are being discriminated against, you may have rights that include the following:

  • Contact OSHA within 30 days of the alleged discrimination to report it. OSHA will investigate to determine if your employer did, in fact, punish you. OSHA can ask the employer to restore your job, wages, and benefits. If your employer refuses, OSHA can take your employer to court.

  • Contact a Vermont workers’ compensation lawyer to represent you. A skilled Vermont work accident attorney may be able to help you seek relief, helping you seek past and future wages.

If you or someone you love suffered from a hazardous work environment, you may have a legal claim for your Vermont work accident. Find out more about your legal rights by contacting a skilled Vermont workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Office of Charles Powell to talk about your injury in a free legal consultation at 877-295-7773.




Charles L. Powell represents injured workers throughout Vermont and is available to speak with injured workers in all Vermont counties and towns including:
Windsor County - Andover, Baltimore, Barnard, Bethel, Bridgewater, Cavendish, Chester, Chester Depot, Hartford, White River Junction, Wilder, Hartland, Ludlow, Ludlow Village, Norwich, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, Rochester, Royalton, Sharon, Springfield, Stockbridge, Weathersfield, Perkinsville, West Windsor, Weston, Windsor, Woodstock and Woodstock Village
Windham County - Athens, Brattleboro, West Brattleboro, Brookline, Dover, Dummerston, Grafton, Guilford, Algiers, Halifax, Jamaica, Londonderry, Marlboro, Newfane, Newfane Village, Putney, Rockingham, Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Somerset, Stratton, Townshend, Harmonyville, West Townshend, Vernon, Wardsboro, Westminster, North Westminster, Whitingham, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Windham and South Windham
Orange County - Bradford, Braintree, Brookfield, Chelsea, Corinth, Fairlee, Newbury, Orange, Randolph, Strafford, Thetford, Topsham, Tunbridge, Vershire, Washington, West Fairlee and Williamstown
Washington County - Barre, Websterville, Berlin, Cabot, Cabot Village, Calais, Duxbury, East Montpelier, Fayston, Marshfield, Marshfield Village, Middlesex, Montpelier, Moretown, Northfield, Northfield Village, Plainfield, Roxbury, Waitsfield, Warren, Waterbury, Waterbury Village, Woodbury and Worcester
Caledonia County - Barnet, Burke, West Burke, Danville, Groton, Hardwick, East Hardwick, Mackville, Kirby, Lyndon, Lyndonville, Lyndon Center, East Lyndon, Newark, Peacham, Ryegate, South Ryegate, East Ryegate, Center Ryegate, Sheffield, St. Johnsbury, St. Johnsbury Center, Stannard, Sutton, Walden, Waterford and Wheelock
Chittenden County - Bolton, Burlington, Charlotte, Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, Hinesburg, Huntington, Jericho, Milton, Richmond, Shelburne, South Burlington, St. George, Underhill, Westford, Williston and Winooski.


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White River Junction Office

Gates-Briggs Building, Suite 312
5 South Main Street
White River Junction, VT 05001 Get Directions

Testimonials

  • Thank you Charles , so much for helping me through the hardest time in my life . I had no fight in me and you did it for me while being patient, compassionate and looking out for me , for my benefit .
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