Labor: health and safety; employee communication regarding an occupational safety and health practice or hazard; prohibit an employer from taking an adverse employment action based on. Amends 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1001 - 408.1094) by adding sec. 66a.
If enacted, this bill would enhance employee rights significantly by requiring employers to maintain safe working conditions. Specifically, it mandates that if an employee raises concerns about potential exposure to health hazards and those issues are not addressed, the employee cannot be penalized for refusing to work. Additionally, employers are obligated to compensate employees for their wages during the period in which the hazardous condition remains uncorrected. This could lead to a greater emphasis on workplace safety across various industries in Michigan.
House Bill 4439 seeks to amend the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act by introducing Section 66a, which outlines protections for employees who refuse work under certain unsafe conditions. This legislation specifies that an employee can refuse to work if they have a reasonable belief that doing so would expose themselves, their coworkers, or the public to a communicable disease or hazardous conditions. In such cases, employees are provided protection against discrimination and retaliation by their employers.
However, the bill is likely to be a source of contention. Supporters argue that it provides necessary protections for employees, enhancing workplace safety standards and empowering workers to voice concerns without fear of retribution. Conversely, opponents may perceive it as potentially burdensome for employers, arguing that it could lead to increased litigation or misuse by employees who might refuse to work for unjustified reasons. The presumption placed upon employers to prove any adverse actions were justified adds an additional layer of complexity to employer-employee relations.