- Part Number:1986
- Part Number Title:Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints Under the Employee Protection Provision of the Seamans Protection Act (SPA), As Amended
- Subpart:1986 Subpart A
- Subpart Title:Complaints, Investigations, Findings and Preliminary Orders
- Standard Number:
- Title:Investigation.
- GPO Source:
For purposes of determining whether to investigate, the complainant will be considered to have met the required burden if the complaint on its face, supplemented as appropriate through interviews of the complainant, alleges the existence of facts and either direct or circumstantial evidence to meet the required showing, i.e., to give rise to an inference that the respondent knew or suspected that the seaman engaged in protected activity and that the protected activity was a contributing factor in the adverse action. The burden may be satisfied, for example, if the complainant shows that the adverse action took place shortly after the protected activity, giving rise to the inference that it was a contributing factor in the adverse action. If the required showing has not been made, the complainant (or the complainant's legal counsel if complainant is represented by counsel) will be so notified and the investigation will not commence.
[78 FR 8402, February 6, 2013; 81 FR 63411, September 15, 2016]