Final answer:
An employee who reports his employer's illegal chemical dumping is protected by whistleblower protection laws, notably under the OSH Act, which prevents retaliation for reporting workplace hazards or safety violations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common law concept that protects an employee who reports his employer's illegal chemical dumping activities is known as whistleblower protection. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights, which include reporting workplace hazards or safety violations. It is illegal for an employer to take any form of retaliatory action against a worker who files a complaint or acts as a whistleblower. Whistleblowers are further protected under various laws some of which are specifically enforced by OSHA.
These laws provide a safeguard for employees to report illegal activities without fear of retribution ensuring that employers comply with regulations designed to protect the health and safety of workers and the public. In addition to OSHA laws such as the Whistleblower Protection Act and provisions in acts such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which protect employees against discrimination fortify the rights of those who speak out against unlawful practices by their employers.