On December 7, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a Denver-based information technology services provider must reinstate a whistleblower who raised concerns about the company’s failure to pay trust fund taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 303 Technologies Inc. violated the Taxpayer First Act, according to the agency, and must pay the employee more than $81,000 in back wages and provide 24.5 percent stock ownership in the company.

“The Taxpayer First Act protects employees’ rights to report actual or potential tax-law violations or engage in other protected activities,” Jennifer S. Rous, OSHA’s Denver regional administrator, said in an agency statement. “OSHA enforces federal laws that protect employees who report possible wrongdoing from fear of retaliation and punishment.”

OSHA’s whistleblower protection authority was first established in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to protect workers who lodge safety or health complaints or cooperate in investigations of workplace safety and health violations. The agency is now responsible for investigating whistleblower complaints under more than 20 federal statutes, ranging from aviation, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, food, motor vehicle, nuclear, and pipeline safety to anti-money laundering, criminal antitrust, environmental, financial reform, health insurance reform, maritime, public transportation, railroad, securities, and tax laws.

OSHA cites employer in...

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