A whistleblower lawsuit is currently causing a stir in the aviation industry, and United Airlines is at the center of it. Ingrid Raganova, a 52-year-old flight attendant for the US airline, has filed a lawsuit against her employer in the state of New Jersey.
She claims she was systematically harassed and demoted over a period of more than two years because of her reports on security breaches. These allegations highlight the challenges faced by whistleblowers in large companies and the difficulties that exist when internal policies clash with external requirements.
Security violations and harassment: The allegations in detail
Ingrid Raganova, a United Airlines flight attendant for more than 27 years, said she repeatedly observed safety lapses and violations of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations during her work. Among the violations she reported were the use of cell phones and tablets by colleagues during takeoff and landing - a clear violation of FAA rules that set strict regulations on the use of electronic devices during critical phases of the flight.
In one case, Raganova reported that a colleague was sending a text message during takeoff - a violation that is particularly concerning because the crew's full attention is required during these moments. In another incident, she observed a flight attendant wearing headphones and using an iPad during an international flight, which violates airline policy. However, Raganova said, these reports did not lead to internal investigations, but instead exposed her to the wrath of her colleagues and superiors.
Retaliation and degradation
Instead of taking her reports seriously, the airline took action against her, Raganova claims. She was demoted from her position as international purser, a role that came with greater responsibilities and a better salary. This demotion not only meant a loss of salary, but also put her professional position at risk. The measure lasted 18 months and, according to Raganova, had a serious impact on her career.
In addition to the professional consequences she faced, Raganova speaks of an increasingly hostile work environment. She reports colleagues behaving hostilely toward her, even though she had never met some of them before, suggesting that internal tensions were further fueled by her whistleblower activity.
A particularly serious allegation in Raganova's lawsuit concerns a mass posting circulated on social media on June 1, 2023, in which she was labeled a "snitch." This posting, distributed to more than 25.000 United Airlines employees, included a picture of Raganova and a note that she "likes to report and harass flight attendants." This constituted a significant invasion of her privacy and reputation and exacerbated the hostile work environment she was subjected to.
Legal framework: protection for whistleblowers
Raganova's lawsuit relies on New Jersey's whistleblower law, known as the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), which protects workers who report safety or legal violations from retaliation. Cases like this one highlight the need for effective legal protection for whistleblowers, who often have to balance their professional integrity with the potential personal consequences.
The aviation industry, which has to react particularly sensitively to such allegations due to its strict safety regulations, faces a difficult challenge here. The case shows that internal reporting channels are often not sufficient to resolve such problems and that whistleblowers often face severe personal and professional consequences.
Ingrid Raganova's case not only highlights the potential safety risks in the airline industry, but also the challenges faced by whistleblowers. While United Airlines has not yet publicly commented on the allegations, this case could have far-reaching consequences for the way companies handle internal reports of safety deficiencies. But Raganova is already aware that her efforts to improve onboard safety have come at a high personal cost.
and 
16 Comments