Hasan v. United States Department of Labor

**What Happened** Syed Hasan worked for Enercon Services, Inc. and believed his employer retaliated against him for reporting workplace safety violations or other protected activities (whistleblowing). Hasan filed a complaint with the Department of Labor claiming his employer punished him for speaking up about wrongdoing at work. **What the Court Decided** The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Hasan and upheld the dismissal of his case. The court found that Hasan waited too long to file his complaint—he missed the required 180-day deadline after the alleged retaliation occurred. Hasan argued there were special circumstances that should excuse his late filing, but the court disagreed and said no exceptions applied to extend the deadline. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case highlights a critical timing rule for workers who face retaliation for whistleblowing. If you believe your employer punished you for reporting safety violations, fraud, or other illegal activities, you must file your complaint with the Department of Labor within 180 days of when the retaliation happened. Missing this deadline can result in losing your case entirely, even if the retaliation actually occurred. Workers should act quickly and seek guidance immediately after experiencing potential retaliation.