OSHA Promoting Workplace Anti-Retaliation Programs
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The U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration( OSHA) has issued the final Recommended Practices for Anti-Retaliation Programs to help employers create workplaces where workers feel comfortable voicing their concerns without fear of retaliation. The recommendations are intended for all public- and private-sector employers covered by the 22 whistleblower protection laws that OSHA enforces and are adaptable to most workplaces. The document outlines five key elements of an effective anti-retaliation program: management leadership, commitment, and accountability; system for listening to and resolving employees’ safety and compliance concerns; system for receiving and responding to reports of retaliation; anti-retaliation training for employees and managers; and program oversight.“ These recommended practices will provide companies with the tools to create a robust antiretaliation program,” said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health.“ In the long run, it’ s good for workers and good for business.” These recommendations are advisory only and do not interpret or create any legal obligations, or alter existing obligations created by OSHA standards or regulations.
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