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Journalist with Killeen Day by day Herald was out of a job after complaining to newspaper administration that fleas had infested the office. September 13, 2022
Media organizations rely on their reporters’ talents to reveal problems with public concern, however a journalist on the Killeen Daily Herald was out of a job after complaining to the newspaper’s administration that fleas had infested the workplace.
Following a whistleblower investigation, the U.S. Division of Labor has filed go well with towards the paper, owned by Frank Mayborn Enterprises Inc., after the Occupational Security & Well being Administration (OSHA) discovered the corporate violated federal legal guidelines that defend staff who report office security and well being points.
OSHA decided that in Could and June 2021, the reporter despatched messages to firm administration complaining concerning the infestation and the bug bites. The employee then had the bugs examined and realized they’re no-see-ums or biting midges. After sharing this extra data with Killeen Day by day Herald administration, the corporate responded by terminating the reporter.
“Quite than addressing an worker’s issues concerning the security and well being of their office, the Killeen Day by day Herald terminated their reporter who sought to forestall office publicity to unknown ailments carried by the bugs,” mentioned Eric S. Harbin, OSHA regional administrator in Dallas. “The U.S. Division of Labor investigates violations of federal whistleblower statutes and protects staff who train their proper to boost security issues with out the worry of retaliation.”
In its Aug. 29, 2022, submitting in U.S. District Court docket, the division alleges the Killeen Day by day Herald fired the worker for participating in protected exercise, and asks the court docket to order the newspaper to adjust to the federal anti-retaliation provisions; reinstate and pay the worker again wages, curiosity, compensatory and punitive damages; expunge the worker’s personnel document; and different cures.
“When employers retaliate towards their staff for reporting unsafe working circumstances, the division will work vigorously to safe the suitable authorized redress for staff,” says John Rainwater, regional solicitor of labor in Dallas.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor of the services market. He has greater than 25 years of expertise writing about services upkeep, engineering and administration.
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