Do federal regulations provide additional protections for employee subjects from risks of harm?

Federal regulations do not provide additional protections specifically for employee subjects from risks of harm in the same way they apply to other vulnerable populations. While there are ethical standards and regulations that underscore the importance of protecting all human subjects in research, employees generally do not have enhanced protections solely due to their status as employees.

The regulations focus more broadly on the ethical treatment of all participants regardless of their employment status. However, researchers are still required to minimize risks and ensure that informed consent is obtained. Certain workplace studies might consider the power dynamics between employer and employee, but the overarching federal regulations treat employees similarly to other adult participants when it comes to standard protections outlined in the Common Rule.

It's important to note that while employees might not have additional protections under federal regulations, researchers often incorporate organizational policies or ethical guidelines that consider workplace dynamics. This enhances the ethical landscape but does not specifically stem from federal protections aimed uniquely at employees.