The U.S. Postal Service recently held a job fair to fill hundreds of open positions, as they are facing allegations of wrongful termination of probationary employees who report workplace injuries. A federal judge has ordered the USPS to compensate a probationary mail carrier in Oregon $141,307 in lost wages and damages for emotional distress after they were fired for reporting an on-the-job injury. This scenario is said to be a common occurrence at the USPS, with cases of discrimination and wrongful termination being reported in several states.
Marc Pilotin, the regional solicitor of labor in San Francisco, stated that the USPS has a pattern of firing probationary employees after they report workplace injuries, causing harm to employees and their families. Judge Adrienne Nelson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon found that the postal service discriminated against and wrongfully terminated the carrier just 21 days after reporting an injury, 11 days before their probationary period ended. The Department of Labor has filed multiple lawsuits and investigations related to similar cases in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington state since 2020.
The Department of Labor alleges that the USPS did not follow its policies in several cases, neglecting to provide timely evaluations of the workers and engaging in retaliatory actions towards employees who reported injuries. In some instances, the USPS was found to have destroyed text messages and thrown personnel records of probationary mail carriers in the garbage. The USPS has been ordered by the court to pay the labor department for these actions and has faced consequences for retaliating against probationary workers who reported workplace injuries, as seen in a case in Tacoma, Washington.
The USPS has come under scrutiny for its treatment of probationary employees, with cases of discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation being reported in various states. The Department of Labor has filed lawsuits and investigations into these allegations, finding a repeated pattern of similar actions by the USPS. The court has ordered the USPS to compensate employees for lost wages and emotional distress, as well as pay the labor department for various violations, including destroying evidence and retaliating against workers. These cases highlight the importance of following proper procedures and policies in the workplace to ensure the fair treatment of employees.
The USPS has faced criticism for its handling of probationary employees who report workplace injuries, with allegations of wrongful termination and discrimination being reported in multiple states. The Department of Labor has taken action against the USPS, filing lawsuits and investigations into these allegations and finding a pattern of similar actions. The court has ordered the USPS to compensate affected employees and pay the labor department for violations, highlighting the importance of following proper procedures and policies to ensure fair treatment of workers. These cases serve as a reminder of the need for companies to prioritize the well-being of their employees and address workplace issues in a timely and appropriate manner.
