Labor says Delta discriminated against pilot whistleblower

The Department of Labor ruled Delta Air Lines discriminated against a pilot after they questioned her psychiatric health amid her raising safety concerns.

Pilot Karlene Petitt filed the lawsuit against Delta in 2016. Petitt raised issues about pilot fatigue, training and its safety management system. Delta later referred her for a psychiatric examination by a company doctor who diagnosed her with bipolar disorder. Petitt spent nearly two years on paid leave before it was determined she did not suffer from bipolar disorder.

Administrative law judge Scott Morris wrote in his decision that Petitt was “unlawfully discriminated against in the form of a career defining Section 15 mental health evaluation.”

Petitt asked for $ 30 million in punitive damages. The judge ordered Delta to pay $ 500,000 for lost wages and Petitt’s damaged career.

“Delta denies First Officer Petitt’s claims that anyone at Delta retaliated against her because she raised safety concerns,” a Delta spokesperson told USA TODAY. “We disagree with the administrative law judge’s ruling and intend to appeal.”