Gov. Jared Polis signed several more bills into law Tuesday, including a measure that offers whistleblower protections to employees who report health or safety issues in the workplace.
The new law was prompted, in part, from Amazon employees who alleged they were retaliated against when they reported how the company was reacting to the pandemic.
“When Amazon fired me after I spoke out about practices I believe put my co-workers and I at risk of contracting COVID-19, I was devastated,” said Linda Rodriguez, a former Amazon employee. “Amazon may be one of the richest and most powerful companies in the world, but no one should be punished for trying to keep their workplace safe.”
Senate Bill 97 expands an existing law that offers similar whistleblower protections, but one that applies only during declared public health emergencies.
The new law allows any worker to file complaints with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment if they believe their employers have policies or procedures that jeopardize their health or safety.
After a formal investigation, and if a complaint is deemed valid, an employer could be required to re-hire any fired employee who made the complaint, pay them any lost wages, fines or penalties, and be required to cease the prohibited policy or procedure.
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