[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 9]
[Revised as of July 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1981.105]

[Page 222-223]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                          OF LABOR (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1981_PROCEDURES FOR THE HANDLING OF DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS UNDER 
SECTION 6 OF THE PIPELINE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2002--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart A_Complaints, Investigations, Findings, and Preliminary Orders
 
Sec. 1981.105  Issuance of findings and preliminary orders.

    (a) After considering all the relevant information collected during 
the investigation, the Assistant Secretary shall issue, within 60 days 
of filing of the complaint, written findings as to whether or not there 
is reasonable cause to believe that the named person has discriminated 
against the complainant in violation of the Act.
    (1) If the Assistant Secretary concludes that there is reasonable 
cause to believe that a violation has occurred, he or she shall 
accompany the findings with a preliminary order providing relief to the 
complainant. The preliminary order shall include, where appropriate, a 
requirement that the named

[[Page 223]]

person abate the violation; reinstatement of the complainant to his or 
her former position, together with the compensation (including back 
pay), terms, conditions and privileges of the complainant's employment; 
and payment of compensatory damages. Where the named person establishes 
that the complainant is a security risk (whether or not the information 
is obtained after the complainant's discharge), a preliminary order of 
reinstatement would not be appropriate. At the complainant's request the 
order shall also assess against the named person the complainant's costs 
and expenses (including attorney's and expert witness fees) reasonably 
incurred in connection with the filing of the complaint.
    (2) If the Assistant Secretary concludes that a violation has not 
occurred, the Assistant Secretary will notify the parties of that 
finding.
    (b) The findings and the preliminary order will be sent by certified 
mail, return receipt requested, to all parties of record. The letter 
accompanying the findings and order will inform the parties of their 
right to file objections and to request a hearing, and of the right of 
the named person to request attorney's fees from the administrative law 
judge, regardless of whether the named person has filed objections, if 
the named person alleges that the complaint was frivolous or brought in 
bad faith. The letter also will give the address of the Chief 
Administrative Law Judge. At the same time, the Assistant Secretary will 
file with the Chief Administrative Law Judge, U.S. Department of Labor, 
a copy of the original complaint and a copy of the findings and order.
    (c) The findings and the preliminary order will be effective 60 days 
after receipt by the named person pursuant to paragraph (b) of this 
section, unless an objection and a request for a hearing has been filed 
as provided at Sec. 1981.106. However, the portion of any preliminary 
order requiring reinstatement will be effective immediately upon receipt 
of the findings and preliminary order.