In an informal online poll in October 2011, readers were asked their opinion on whether OSHA should continue to oversee the Whistleblower Protection Program.
Comments from respondents who answered "Yes"
Who else can !
I think workers should continue to be protected by the Whistleblower program because I know from experience that some employers threaten to fire employees that wanna speak up about safety issues.
Workplace safety is so often tied to employee behavior that it is overlooked that the employer fails to manage a "safe and healthy" worplace. Many would forgo the expense for the better bottom line, and sometimes threaten an employee's living for Silence.
OSHA should continue this oversight because, despite having been whittled awab by the Bush administrationj, its staff members are probably among the federal government's most legitimately motivated. And that's sure needed.
Comments from respondents who answered "No"
They tend to automatically believe every whistleblower is a truth sayer without looking at other factors like job dissatisfaction.
I think that this falls more in the realm of Human resources and legal than OSHA. OSHA needs to streamline their focus on protecting workers and providing guidance to employers.
Whistleblower Protection extends beyond Health and Safety.
OSHA has unfortunately become a very political organization, and thus, under OSHA management, I do not expect fair and impartial management of the whistleblower protection program.
Present format provides no consequences to the accusers who often have a beef with an employer or are organizations who use the program as a means of harrassment. Level the field with consequences to offenders AND to accusers with their own aggenda