If you believe your employer has discriminated against you because you exercised your safety and health rights or other protected activity, contact your local OSHA Office right away.
Most discrimination complaints fall under the OSH Act, this program gives you only 30 days to report discrimination. Some of the other laws have complaint-filing deadlines that differ from OSHA's, so be sure to check.
In addition, depending on the statute, you may need to file your complaint in writing. You can telephone, fax, or mail your OSHA 11(c) complaint. The complaint should be filed with the OSHA office responsible for enforcement activities in the geographical area where the employee resides or was employed, but may be filed with any OSHA officer or employee. For more information, call your closest OSHA Regional Office:
- Boston (617) 565-2770
- New York (212) 337-2378
- Philadelphia (215) 861-4900
- Atlanta (404) 562-2300
- Chicago (312) 353-2220
- Dallas (972) 850-4145
- Kansas City (816) 283-8745
- Denver (720) 264-6550
- San Francisco (415) 625-2547
- Seattle (206) 553-5930
Written complaints may be filed by mail (we recommend certified mail), fax, or hand delivery during business hours. The date postmarked, faxed, or hand-delivered is considered the date filed.
OSHA conducts an in-depth interview with each complainant to determine the need for an investigation. If evidence supports the worker's claim of discrimination, OSHA will ask the employer to restore the worker's job, earnings and benefits. If the employer objects, OSHA may take the employer to court to seek relief for the worker. The procedures for investigations of discrimination complaints are contained in the OSHA Whistleblower Investigations Manual:
