Stericycle Inc. Ordered to Reinstate Wrongfully Terminated Employee — 2014.

On September 16, 2014, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) ordered Stericycle Inc. to reinstate a wrongfully terminated employee who is represented by Don Peterson and Sean McGivern. (OSHA press release available online). OSHA made preliminary findings that Stericycle violated the whistleblower protection provisions of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (“STAA”), 49 U.S.C. 31105, by terminating the employee for opposing practices that violate federal trucking laws.

OSHA also ordered Stericycle to: (a) pay the former employee $261,786.53 in damages and attorneys fees; (b) distribute to all of its employees a fact sheet about whistleblower protections for employees of commercial motor carriers; and (c) notify employees of Stericycle’s infraction and its commitment not to retaliate against whistleblowers. The preliminary findings conclude a lengthy investigation process.

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of 22 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, motor vehicle safety, health care reform, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime and securities laws. If you have questions about your rights under any federal whistleblower statutes, please contact Sean McGivern or Don Peterson.