Whistleblower Protections

Course Description:

Federal law entitles all workers to a safe workplace. The definition of a workplace includes commercial motor vehicles, or CMVs. Not only must employers keep the workplace free of known health and safety hazards, but each employee also has the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation. This training module is for workers who report or make a complaint about workplace hazards or unsafe conditions to learn about their rights for protection against retaliation from employers.

Why “Whistleblower Protections” Matters:

• Describe your right to whistleblower protections from retaliation by your employer for voicing workplace safety and health concerns
• Explain the steps to raise a workplace safety and health concern with your employer before whistleblower protections are triggered
• Recall the types of protected activities covered under your rights to whistleblower protection laws
• Recognize retaliatory or coercive actions by an employer at work
• Describe the steps to take in response to retaliation or coercion
• Recall the OSHA investigation process for a whistleblower complaint

Key Points:

By the end of this session, you should understand:

• The rights that all employees have regarding workplace safety and health;
• Your specific rights as an employee of a motor carrier;
• What “protected activity” is and what it includes;
• What retaliation is;
• When and how to file a complaint about unsafe working conditions or motor carrier safety violations;
• When and how to file a retaliation complaint;
• Your rights and protections as a whistleblower;
• How whistleblower complaints are investigated; and
• The outcome you can expect after filing a retaliation complaint.