U.S Department of Labor sues Austin car dealer

A car dealer from Austin, Texas was recently sued by the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) for firing an employee who sent an all-staff email to his colleagues warning them of the harmful effects of the coronavirus at the workplace. According to sources, one of the employees at the workplace tested positive for Covid-19 at which point the employee who was fired asked the management to send a mail notifying the others about exposure. When the Management refused to do so, the employee sent an email himself. He was fired less than an hour later. 

DOL sued the car dealer for violating the OHS Act which is the Occupational Safety and Health Act by retaliating against its own employee. DOL’s case in the District Court of Texas asks the employer to pay remunerations such as lost wages, rehiring of the employee, reimbursement of costs and expenses, and compensation for damages. 

Source: SHRM