Pesticide manufacturer faces repercussions after firing worker for filing a safety complaint 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed a federal court complaint against Avenger Products LLC and its parent company, Kittrich Corp. The agency alleges that the company terminated a worker’s employment in retaliation for filing a safety and health complaint with the department. According to OSHA, Avenger Products violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act by ending the worker’s employment because they exercised their rights protected under the act. The DOL wants the pesticide and agricultural chemical manufacturer to pay the former customer service manager back pay, compensatory and punitive damages to address lost wages, other financial losses, and emotional distress.  

In a recent quote, Regional Solicitor of Labor Tremelle Howard said, “Employers are required to comply with all applicable anti-retaliation laws, including those meant to ensure worker protection when raising health and safety concerns in the workplace under the OSH Act. When employers retaliate against employees, the Department of Labor will not hesitate to use all enforcement tools available to stop this conduct.”