Press Release
☷Court orders Connecticut sports bar owner to pay $359K for retaliating against employees
U.S. Department of Labor ( By Press Release office)
Feb 09,2024
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A sports bar in Connecticut and its owner have been ordered by a court to pay $359 , 485 to employees for retaliating against them . The bar , called Champions Grill and Bar , was accused of violating federal laws by making unlawful threats and terminating employees who participated in an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration . The court ' s decision , which is the first of its kind , includes back pay , emotional distress damages , withheld compensation , and punitive damages . The order also prohibits the bar and its owner from engaging in future violations . The U . S . Department of Labor , which conducted investigations and litigated the case , emphasized the importance of protecting workers ' rights and the costly consequences of retaliation by employers . “Employers ' egregious actions of firing workers for speaking to an OSHA inspector defy the law and expose their employees to potential danger , ” said Galen Blanton , OSHA ' s Boston regional director . “Discouraging or preventing workers from participating in OSHA inspections may conceal or delay the identification of hazards that could harm workers . Employees have the right to participate in OSHA inspections and file a whistleblower complaint if their employer retaliates against them . ” for exercising their rights . For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division , call the Division ' s toll - free helpline at 866 - 4US - WAGE ( 487 - 9243 ) . Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division , including its search tool You can use them if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the Department . Employers and workers can contact the Department confidentially with questions , regardless of their immigration status . OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and 24 Another protects employees who report violations of various airline , commercial motor carriers , consumer products , environmental and financial reform , food safety , vehicle safety , health care reform , nuclear , pipeline , transit agency , rail , marine , securities , tax , antitrust , and anti - money laundering laws and engage in other protected activities of concern . Relevance . For more information about whistleblower protection , visit OSHA ' s Whistleblower Protection Programs web page .
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