Can I Sue If Fired Due to Refusing Unsafe Work Conditions?

Employees have a legal right to refuse to work under unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation or termination. Both federal and state laws, such as those enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), protect workers who refuse unsafe work. If you are fired for this reason, you may have grounds to sue for wrongful termination.

Steps to Take If Fired for Refusing Unsafe Work

Document the Unsafe Conditions: Before refusing to work, document the unsafe conditions as thoroughly as possible, including taking photos or videos if appropriate. Write down the date, time, and specific nature of the unsafe condition.

Report the Unsafe Condition: If possible, report the unsafe condition to your supervisor or human resources (HR), and keep a record of the complaint. Reporting it formally protects you from retaliation and strengthens your case if legal action is necessary.

Refuse Work Safely: If you believe your safety is at risk, refuse to work, but make sure you communicate the reason clearly and professionally. For example, tell your supervisor you are unwilling to work because of specific safety concerns.

File a Complaint with OSHA: If you are fired after refusing unsafe work conditions, file a complaint with OSHA or your state’s labor board. OSHA will investigate the situation to determine if the firing was retaliatory and if the work conditions violated any safety standards.

Consult an Attorney: If you are fired for refusing unsafe work, consult with an employment attorney who specializes in workplace safety and wrongful termination. They can help you understand your rights and file a lawsuit for wrongful termination if necessary.

Legal Actions and Protections

OSHA Protections: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) provides workers with the right to refuse work that they believe poses a serious risk to their health or safety. OSHA protects workers from retaliation if they report unsafe conditions or refuse to work in such conditions.

Wrongful Termination Claims: If you are fired for refusing unsafe work, you may have a claim for wrongful termination. This is because terminating an employee for exercising their right to refuse unsafe work can be considered retaliation and a violation of labor laws.

Retaliation Laws: Both federal and state laws protect workers from retaliation for reporting unsafe work conditions or refusing to work in unsafe environments. Retaliation may include termination, demotion, harassment, or any adverse action that affects the worker’s employment status or terms.

Compensation for Wrongful Termination: If your termination is deemed wrongful, you may be entitled to reinstatement to your position, back pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, and even punitive damages if the employer’s conduct was particularly egregious.

Example

John works as a construction worker and notices that his team is asked to work on a scaffolding that does not meet safety standards. John raises his concern with his supervisor, but his supervisor insists that the work must proceed. Fearing for his safety, John refuses to work on the scaffolding. The next day, he is fired for insubordination.

John immediately documents the unsafe condition, including taking photos of the scaffolding and writing down the conversation with his supervisor. He reports the incident to OSHA, and they launch an investigation into the safety violation. John also contacts an employment lawyer who helps him file a lawsuit against his employer for wrongful termination and retaliation. He seeks reinstatement to his position, back pay for the period he was out of work, and damages for emotional distress caused by the wrongful termination.

In this case, if the employer is found to have violated OSHA standards and fired John in retaliation for refusing unsafe work, the company may face significant penalties, and John could be awarded compensation for the wrongful termination.