OSHA Announces Launch of Alternative Dispute Resolution Program for Complaints Filed with Whistleblower Protection Program

Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it will be launching an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program.

The new program will be implemented in OSHA’s Chicago and San Francisco regions and will work with complainants and employers to try to resolve disputes in a cooperative and voluntary manner through early resolution and mediation. According to OSHA, when a whistleblower files a complaint in one of the two pilot regions, both parties will be notified of their ADR options and if they choose, they may work through an OSHA regional ADR coordinator to resolve their issues.

Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, stated:

“OSHA is committed to fair, effective and timely enforcement of the whistleblower laws delegated to us by Congress. . .  Alternative dispute resolution can provide immediate relief and finality to both parties.”

The Employment Law Group® law firm has an extensive nationwide whistleblower practice representing employees who have been victims of retaliation.

Tagged: Enforcement Bodies, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)