[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 9]
[Revised as of July 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1980.105]

[Page 214]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                          OF LABOR (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1980_PROCEDURES FOR THE HANDLING OF DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS 
 
  Subpart A_Complaints, Investigations, Findings and Preliminary Orders
 
Sec. 1980.105  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 all relief necessary to 
make the employee whole, including, where appropriate: reinstatement 
with the same seniority status that the employee would have had but for 
the discrimination; back pay with interest; and compensation for any 
special damages sustained as a result of the discrimination, including 
litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees. 
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.
    (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 ALJ, 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 preliminary order will be effective 30 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. 1980.106. However, the portion of any preliminary 
order requiring reinstatement will be effective immediately upon receipt 
of the findings and preliminary order.