Former D.C. Workers Say Law Doesn't Prevent Retaliation

[maddezmom]

Employees Say They Were Fired After Filing Complaints, Despite Whistle-Blower Act

By Yolanda Woodlee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 28, 2008; Page B01

Two years ago, Audrick Payne, an elevator inspector for the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, testified before the D.C. Council that he shut down two poorly operating elevators in the city's own offices at One Judiciary Square. In fact, he later said, half of the 10,000 elevators in the city did not have valid licenses.

For months, Toby Cooper, a senior executive at the D.C. Lottery, complained about a co-worker who she said touched her inappropriately, asked her embarrassing personal questions and warned her not to tell his wife. When he refused to stop the advances, she filed a sexual harassment complaint against him.

Stephen P. Amos, a former employee of the D.C. Department of Transportation, claimed in a recent lawsuit that when he exposed improper city road contracts, his boss threatened to have him escorted from the building.

All three former city workers say they are whistle-blowers who were fired for reporting illegal and unethical behavior and hazardous conditions, in violation of the D.C. Whistleblower Reinforcement Act, which offers protection from retaliation. Other D.C. employees who have reported wrongdoing say they've been terminated, threatened and ostracized. Lawyers and advocates of whistle-blowers say that despite the law, employers still retaliate.

more:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/27/AR2008042702214.html?hpid=moreheadlines