The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Union Pacific Railroad Co. to reinstate a railroad engineer and pay more than $300,000 in back wages, damages and legal fees after finding the company violated federal whistleblower protections.
The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said the worker was terminated after reporting a work-related injury and seeking medical care. The investigation concluded the company’s actions violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act, which prohibits retaliation against employees who report safety concerns or injuries.
Order includes reinstatement and damages
According to OSHA, the order requires Union Pacific to reinstate the employee and pay back wages, interest, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. The total amount exceeds $300,000.
Union Pacific has the right to appeal the order. The company did not immediately comment on the ruling.
Part of wider whistleblower protections
OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces 25 federal statutes that protect workers from retaliation for reporting violations across a range of industries, including transportation, health and safety, environmental protection, securities, and consumer product safety.
These laws cover workers in sectors such as rail, airline, commercial motor carrier, maritime, pipeline, nuclear, and public transit, as well as those involved in food safety, financial reform, and tax laws.
