OSHA Issues Procedures for Handling Complaints Under Sarbanes-Oxley Act

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OSHA has issued a final rule that details procedures for handling whistleblower retaliation complaints filed under Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act. The SOX Act, passed in 2002, protects employees who report fraudulent activities and violations of Securities Exchange Commission rules that can harm investors in publicly traded companies.

Publicly-traded companies are strictly prohibited from retaliating against employees who report illegal or fraudulent conduct. According to OSHA Administrator David Michaels, this rule safeguards investors by protecting whistleblowers who report issues that may otherwise go uncorrected.

The agency enforces the whistleblower provisions of SOX and 21 other statutes protecting employees who report various workplace violations. Workers can learn more information on worker rights and protections and how to how to file a complaint on OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Programs Web page.

Learn more on OSHA’s website, visit www.osha.gov.