All too often, companies try to take advantage of their drivers by forcing unsafe practices and punishing those who don’t comply. However, in the end, the good guys always win and the safety of the drivers and the public at large is protected.
The most recent case involves Absolute Waste Removal, who fired a driver after raising safety concerns about new procedures. In a news release from the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, it was reported that the company had to reinstate the driver, pay more than $23,000 in back wages with interest, pay $50,000 in compensatory and $50,000 in punitive damages, as well as pay attorney fees.
So, let this be a lesson for all you new drivers. Never break the law and put yourself in danger because of company policy. It is truckers who must pay the fines for driving over hours, and truckers who bear the responsibility for crashing because of fatigue. In the end, it pays to be safe.