Working for a railroad can be a demanding but rewarding career. Many people enjoy helping to maintain and operate a critical form of domestic infrastructure. Professionals who work for the railroads hope to keep their jobs indefinitely and to continue working in the industry until they retire.
However, those plans may come screeching to a halt if they notice serious issues in the workplace. Safety violations that endanger passengers, workers or members of the general public could worry railroad employees. They might also become aware of fraudulent billing practices. In some cases, they may feel compelled to act as whistleblowers and may worry about employer retaliation.
They report matters internally to help the company resolve safety issues or problematic practices. Other times, they may report concerns to regulatory authorities. Sometimes, railroad employees might even have grounds to file qui tam lawsuits because of inappropriate billing.
When can railroad employees count on having legal protection from employer retaliation?
When they report injuries or seek treatment
Reporting a workplace injury and seeking medical care are protected activities under the Federal Railroad Safety Act. People who get hurt on the job can report what happened to their employers without risk of punishment. They typically have the right to seek care, even if the incident happens in the middle of a shift. The worker has the right to follow the doctor’s treatment plan, even if it limits their work functions. Businesses should not punish employees for responding appropriately to on-the-job injuries.
When they address safety issues
If employers have policies that force workers to violate safety standards, everyone at the job site and those nearby might be at risk of injury. Particularly in scenarios where company policy, rather than coworkers cutting corners, is the underlying cause of safety violations, speaking up may be critical. Workers have legal protection as whistleblowers if they document what they notice and bring it to the attention of their employers or appropriate regulatory authorities. Railroad workers also have the right to refuse to violate federal laws or regulations related to railway safety.
When they notice fraudulent billing
Railroad companies often bill the federal government directly for the services they provide. As such, regulations related to fraudulent billing practices apply to railroad businesses and the whistleblowers who report alleged misconduct. Waste can also be a reason to report questionable employer conduct. Railroad employees should not have to worry about facing job loss or other punitive measures if they inform regulatory authorities of fraudulent billing practices or decide to initiate qui tam lawsuits against their employers.
People who believe they may need to act as whistleblowers and others contemplating legal action against their employers may benefit from reviewing the situation with an attorney. Securing guidance before whistleblowing can help people minimize the chances of retaliation and increase the chances of effectively reporting the misconduct of their employers.
Subscribe To This Blog's Feed