The U.S. Department of Labor recently filed a lawsuit against a Bronx hair salon owner over allegations that she fired an employee for warning coworkers about formaldehyde exposure. 
According to a statement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Salon Zoe employee — identified in a media report as Valerie Connoly — began experiencing difficulty breathing and an impaired sense of smell in late 2011.
Connoly told her employer of her suspicions that formaldehyde in hair-straightening products caused her respiratory problems, which a physician confirmed in July 2012.
In June 2012, she warned her fellow employees about the products and was subsequently terminated by salon owner, Kristina Veljovic. The lawsuit seeks payment of lost wages and damages, as well as a reinstatement offer and a requirement that Veljovic post a notice that she will not discriminate against employees.
"No employee should be fired for raising awareness of a potential workplace health hazard," said Jeffrey Rogoff, the regional Solicitor of Labor in New York.
Local OSHA officials inspected the salon in December 2012 and cited the business over a lack of a chemical hazard communication program and for improperly informing and training employees.
