A federal investigation found the railroad giant violated whistleblower protections by firing an engineer who reported a job-related injury.
The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Union Pacific Railroad Co. to reinstate an employee and pay more than $300,000 in back wages, damages, and attorney’s fees after finding the company violated federal whistleblower protections.
OSHA determined the railroad engineer was unlawfully terminated after reporting and seeking medical care for a work-related injury—a protected activity under the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA).
OSHA’s order requires Union Pacific to restore the employee to their former position with full benefits, in addition to compensatory and punitive damages.
“This case underscores a worker’s right to report injuries without fear of retaliation,” OSHA said in a statement. The ruling falls under the agency’s Whistleblower Protection Program, which enforces provisions of 25 statutes designed to shield workers from retaliation across a range of industries, including railroads, transportation, energy, and financial services.
Union Pacific has the right to appeal the order.
More information on whistleblower rights and protections is available at https://www.whistleblowers.gov/.
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