Employees have a right to complain about unsafe working conditions and to report worksite hazards to agencies, such as OSHA. When employees exercise this right employers are not permitted to retaliate by firing them. Yet, some employers take punitive action anyway. The remedy for the employee is a retaliatory discharge lawsuit seeking damages.
Cingular named in retaliatory discharge suit
James Meyer of Highland filed a retaliatory discharge suit against Cingular Wireless in Madison County Circuit Court Aug. 18, seeking at least $75,000 in damages plus an additional amount for punitive damages.
Meyer claims he worked at various job sites in southern Illinois, including Madison County, as a field engineer from March 12, 1996 until Nov. 30, 2004.
“Meyer was wrongfully discharged after he has filed and made complaints with the company concerning working conditions being exposed to harmful radiation from sources at various facilities he was asked to service, and exposure to asbestos at various work sites where he was employed and being harassed as a result,” the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Meyer also made complaints to outside agencies including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
“Cingular retaliated against Plaintiff for speaking to this public policy regarding the health and safety of Cingular workers by discharging him on Nov. 20, 2004,” the complaint alleges.
Meyer claims since his discharge he has been unable to regain employment at the same rate of pay and has lost considerable wages and suffered emotional distress and upset.
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