Final answer:
Upon finding evidence of a violation after investigating a complaint, departments like OSHA may impose fines or other penalties, and federal or state enforcement can result in fines, bans, or imprisonment for regulators or lobbyists. Educational institutions may expel students for code of conduct breaches, and similar codes exist to address issues like sexual harassment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a department like OSHA investigates a complaint and uncovers evidence of a violation, several actions may be enforced against the violating entity. If a workplace has been found to not meet OSHA standards or there's evidence of a serious hazard, consequences for the employer can include being fined or other penalties as per the severity of the violation. Moreover, laws both at the state and federal level, enforced by attorneys general and prosecutors, can impute stricter sanctions such as fines, bans from lobbying activities, or even prison sentences for violators such as lobbyists or government officials who breach regulations. In educational institutions, if a student violates the code of conduct, actions like expulsion may be implemented. The enforcement of penalties also applies to more personal levels, such as cases of sexual harassment, where apart from civil liabilities, institutions like schools may establish specific codes of conduct to preemptively address such issues.
Penalties: Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, penalties can be imposed. These penalties can include fines, bans, or even prison sentences. For example, in the case of lobbying violations, lobbyists and government officials can face fines, bans, or imprisonment.
Discrimination protection: If the violation involves discrimination against a worker for filing a complaint or using other rights, the employer can face legal consequences. It is a violation of the OSH Act for an employer to fire, demote, transfer, or discriminate against a worker for filing a complaint.
Sanctions: Norm violations can result in formal sanctions. For example, if a student violates a college's code of conduct, they may be expelled. These sanctions are ways to officially recognize and enforce the violation.