Some bosses try to stop workers from reporting injuries and illnesses. Smart bosses know that a safer workplace costs less in the long run and work to get rid of dangers. Even if you don't need time off or medical care, you should report an injury so you have a record in case it gets worse over time.

It is bad for workers when injuries are not reported.
  • Without reporting, an injured worker will not get early diagnosis and treatment.
  • The worker will not get Workers' Compensation for an injury.
  • An injured worker is more likely to lose their job when their injury makes it harder to do their job, because they have no proof that they were hurt at work.
  • The workplace is more dangerous for everyone when workers don't report injuries or illnesses. The hazards that are causing injuries will go on to injure other workers.
  • OSHA rules say that companies have to protect workers from "known" hazards – without a report, bosses can say they didn't know about the hazard.
It is good for bosses when injuries and illnesses are not reported.
  • Fewer injuries and illnesses mean that OSHA is less likely to inspect the company.
  • If workers don't report injuries quickly, they probably won't collect Workers’ Comp. Then, the company pays less in workers' comp premiums.

How bosses stop reporting One of the best ways to make a workplace safer is to understand what injuries have already happened. Small injuries show what hazard may cause bigger injuries if the hazard is not fixed. A company that really wants to have a safe workplace looks at minor injuries as a warning sign – if they’re not reported, they don’t have a warning. Real safety programs focus on getting rid of hazards – preventing accidents – instead of stopping workers from reporting injuries. Real safety programs want to know about hazards so that the cause of the injury can be eliminated.

Drug testing after accidents or injuries  Some employers test workers for drug use whenever an accident or injury is reported – even when it was not the worker's fault. If workers are worried about a test showing recreational drug use during non-work time, they will not report injuries – even if it wasn't their fault. Even if you decide not to report an accident or injury immediately, every OSHA and Workers’ Comp law gives you enough time so that you can wait and report a couple of days later.

Rewards for not reporting - "safety incentive programs" Rewards or incentives for no reports of accidents or lost-time injuries mean workers are encouraged not to report injuries. Most programs give rewards, bonuses, or prizes to a whole group of workers if there are no reported injuries – so that the other workers will blame anyone who reports an injury. Most often, incentive programs stop the reporting of smaller injuries. It is illegal for employers to discriminate or retaliate (including withholding benefits and bonuses) against workers who report injuries or illnesses. It should be illegal to offer rewards if workers don’t report injuries or illness. Unfortunately, OSHA doesn't enforce many retaliation claims of this kind.

Disciplining workers for reporting injuries  Some companies discipline workers for getting hurt. The company says that the worker is responsible for being safe, so if she gets hurt, it's her fault. It doesn't stop workers from getting hurt, it just stops them from reporting injuries. Obviously disciplining workers for reporting work injuries or illnesses should not be allowed since the law protects workers for exercising their OSHA rights. If you are disciplined for reporting an injury, get help and file an OSHA claim for retaliation.

Keeping injured workers at work so they don’t make a claim  Some bosses put injured workers in an easier job (or make up a "job") so they don't make a Workers’ Comp claim. Since workers get paid less while they are on workers' comp, it's tempting not to report an injury and stay on the payroll. Companies that pretend workers aren't hurt are breaking OSHA and Workers' Comp laws. If they are willing to break the law, they will not be fair when an injury doesn't get better. Then, the worker won't have any protection --- because the injury wasn't reported!