DOL Sues Lear Corp. and Three Managers for Retaliation
The managers retaliated after employees raised safety concerns at the Selma foam manufacturer.
According to an agency news release, the U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Lear Corp., doing business as Renosol Seating LLC, and three of its managers for suspending and terminating employees who reported workplace hazards that have violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The suit follows an investigation by OSHA after three employees of the company at a Selma, Ala., location filed federal complaints. According to the suit, Lear discriminated against the employees by conducting retaliatory acts in violation of the OSH Act's Section 11.
Some of the allegations: The company harassed employees, reduced their overtime, segregated them from co-workers, and suspended and later terminated one of the employees in retaliation for raising health concerns associated with exposure to toluene diisocyanate.
"Employees have the right to raise occupational safety and health concerns without the fear of retaliation," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's regional administrator in Atlanta. "OSHA will continue to seek litigation for companies that violate the whistleblower provisions of the OSH Act to protect employees who report violations."