Yep, there is plenty of potential for unintended consequences when you call OSHA.
A friend of mine made a report about his workplace. Anonymity was important, since the owner of the company was his wife’s brother. The investigator accidentally left a form where the owner caught a glance, and saw the reporter’s name. Caused some family tension.
I also know a of a situation where a disgruntled employee made an anonymous call that led to the owner of the business selling the property (closing the business) and retiring early rather than deal with OSHA.
Well, I think the first thing to do is to deal with the ankle. This shouldn’t be that hard. A: Tell the boss that she thinks she needs to see the doctor. B: Call doctor, ask about how one does so after injury on job. C: follow instructions.
Then, after that, call OSHA, and rather than going all whistleblower, ask reasonable questions about conditions. If they’re in violation, go whistleblower. Fucker’s going to fire her one day anyhow, probably right after she hurts herself seriously. May as well do it under her terms, not his.
Well, I think the first thing to do is to deal with the ankle. This shouldn’t be that hard. A: Tell the boss that she thinks she needs to see the doctor. B: Call doctor, ask about how one does so after injury on job. C: follow instructions.
Then, after that, call OSHA, and rather than going all whistleblower, ask reasonable questions about conditions. If they’re in violation, go whistleblower. Fucker’s going to fire her one day anyhow, probably right after she hurts herself seriously. May as well do it under her terms, not his.
Best case, doctor looks at ankle, all is well in the world.
Medium case: He fires her for going to OSHA, she A: can sue him and B: gets unemployment.
Worst case: He persuades her to quit, no unemployment, also is hurt worse.
If she tells her doctor that she hurt her ankle on the job, he may automatically go into OSHA reporting mode (this is based on having a husband who works in construction safety here and hearing lots of things about Worker’s Compensation - I am by no means an expert in this area).