TrueStart Transport LLC, a Maugansville-based freight and heavy-haul trucking provider, has been ordered by the U.S. Department of Labor to pay $46,094 in back wages and damages to an employee wrongfully terminated for refusing to drive an oversized load without the required safety precautions. This decision follows an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which found that TrueStart Transport violated the whistleblower protections under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA).
Key Findings:
- The employee raised safety concerns after being directed to transport an oversized load without the legally required escort vehicle.
- After refusing to drive the load under unsafe conditions, the company terminated the employee and left them stranded at a Tennessee truck stop, forcing them to pay for their return home to Texas.
- OSHA determined the company’s actions were retaliatory, violating the employee’s federally protected right to refuse unsafe work.
Penalties Imposed:
- $9,698 in back wages and interest.
- $10,000 in punitive damages.
- $26,396 in compensatory damages for the wrongful termination and financial losses incurred.
Additionally, OSHA ordered TrueStart Transport to reinstate the driver to their previous position, emphasizing that an employee’s right to raise safety concerns is protected under federal law.
Employer Takeaways:
Employers must understand the critical importance of complying with federal whistleblower protection laws. Firing or retaliating against employees who raise safety concerns is not only illegal but can result in significant financial penalties and reputational damage. Employers should ensure they have proper procedures in place to handle employee safety complaints and avoid similar costly outcomes.
See the DOL Press Release here. For more information on whistleblower protections under federal law, visit OSHA’s Whistleblower Pro
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