Whistleblower or Retaliation Statute

Legal Citation

Statute of Limitations (SOL)

Where to File

First Amendment

U.S. Const., 1^st Am.

State PI limit

state or fed ct.

Civil Rights Act of 1871

42 U.S.C. § 1981, § 1983, § 1985, § 1985(2)(witness protection)

State PI limit

state or fed ct.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

29 U.S.C. § 218c; Section 1558 of P.L. 111-148

29 C.F.R. Part 1984

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

29 U.S.C. § 623(d)

180-300 days for administrative complaint; 2 years for court (3 years if violation is willful)

EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; private cause of action in state or federal court

Alternative Mortgage Parity Act of 1982, 12 U.S.C. § 2801. Whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

42 U.S.C. § 12203(a)

29 C.F.R. Part 1640

180-300 days (45 days for federal employees)

EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; private cause of action in federal court

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Pub. L. 111-5 (p. 297), Section 1553

48 C.F.R. § 3.907, and sequence

None in statute

Inspector General of the funding agency

Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (AWAR)

7 U.S.C. § 2146

9 C.F.R. § 2.32(c)(4)

None in statute

USDA / APHIS

Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)

31 U.S.C. § 5323(g) & (j)

90 days

DOL / OSHA; after 180 days, option to kick out to district court

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986

15 U.S.C. § 2651

90 days

DOL / OSHA

Asbestos School Hazard Detection & Control Act

20 U.S.C. § 3608

None in statute

None stated.

Atomic Energy and Energy Reorganization Acts

42 U.S.C. § 5851

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)

31 U.S.C. § 5328

2 years

Federal District Court

Bankruptcy

11 U.S.C. § 525(b)

Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI, public accommodations by recipients of federal funds)

42 U.S.C. § 2000d

Applicable state statute of limitations for court action; 180 days for administrative complaints to federal agencies

No exhaustion is required to sue in court, but most federal agencies permit administrative complaints to the agency's office of civil rights

Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)

42 U.S.C. § 2000e-3(a)

42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16 (for federal employees)

180-300 days; 45 days for federal employees

EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; Agency EEO office (for federal employees); private cause of action in federal court after exhausting administrative complaint

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act

42 U.S.C. § 1997d

None in statute

No private cause of action for employees recognized

Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA), including claims for involuntary schedule moves, such as reclassifications to Schedule F that deprive a federal employee of appeal rights

5 U.S.C. § 2302; 5 C.F.R. § 302.603 (involuntary schedule moves); 5 C.F.R. § 1201.03

30 days

MSPB; except for “mixed cases” under Title VII

Civil Service Reform Act (FBI employees)

5 U.S.C. § 2303; 28 C.F.R. Part 27

DOJ Inspector General; OARM; with an appeal or (after 180 days) kick-out to the MSPB (as of 2022).

Civilian Employees of nonappropriated fund (NAF) instrumentalities of the Armed Forces

10 U.S.C. § 1587; DODD 1401.03

Secretary of Defense/DoD Hotline Website at http://www.dodig.mil/hotline/, (800) 424-9098

Civil War Reconstruction Era Federal Civil Rights Statutes

42 U.S.C. § 1981, § 1983, § 1985, § 1985(2)(witness protection)

most analogous state law applies

Federal district court

Clayton Act (antitrust)

15 U.S.C. § 15(a)

4 years-see 15 U.S.C. § 15(b)

Federal District Court, generally no standing recognized for employees

Clean Air Act

42 U.S.C. § 7622

29 C.F.R. Part 24

30 days

DOL / OSHA

Clean Water Act

33 U.S.C. § 1367(a), (b)

29 C.F.R. Part 24

30 days

DOL / OSHA

Coast Guard whistleblower protection [Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Act] and Seaman’s Protection Act

46 U.S. C. § 2114 (as amended 2010)

29 CFR Part 1986

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Commercial Motor Vehicles Program (aka STAA)

49 U.S.C. § 31105

29 C.F.R. Part 1978

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“Super Fund”)

42 U.S.C. § 9610

30 days

DOL / OSHA

Congressional Accountability Act

2 U.S.C. § 1301, § 1402

180 days

Office of Congressional Workplace Rights

Consumer Credit Protection Act (garnishments)

15 U.S.C. § 1674

DOL Wage & Hour

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) (part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010); per 12 U.S.C. § 5481(12), coverage includes the Alternative Mortgage Parity Act of 1982, 12 U.S.C. § 2801; Consumer Leasing Act of 1976, 15 U.S.C. § 1667; most of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1693; Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1691; Fair Credit Billing Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1666; most of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C § 1681; Home Owners Protection Act of 1998, 12 U.S.C. § 4901; Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692; parts of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1831t(c)-(f); parts of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. § 6802-09; Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, 12 U.S.C § 2801; Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, 15 U.S.C. § 1601 note; S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, 12 U.S.C. § 5101; the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1601; the Truth in Savings Act, 12 U.S.C. § 4301; section 626 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 111-8; and the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1701.

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Consumer Leasing Act of 1976, 15 U.S.C. § 1667. Whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)

15 U.S.C. § 2087

29 C.F.R. Part 1983

180 days

DOL / OSHA, bypass option to federal court after 210 days

Contractor Employees of the Armed Forces (for contractors of DoD and NASA; contractor employees of other federal agencies can use the NDAA below)

10 U.S.C. § 4701 (formerly 10 U.S.C. § 2409)

3 years (for IG complaint), then 2 years for filing in court

Inspector General of contracting agency (e.g. DoD OIG); then in federal court

42 U.S.C. §  290dd–2(i); 42 U.S.C. § 1320d–5, § 1320d–6

180 days for HIPAA complaint to HHS (45 C.F.R. § 160.306(b)(3)); 6 years for state attorney general’s action (42 U.S.C. § 1320a–7a(c)(1))

HHS (HIPAA civil penalties); federal criminal prosecution; civil action by state attorney general

Court and other judiciary branch employees

Model Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) Plan (Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 12, Appx. 2A)

180 days (but must complete Assisted Resolution first)

Court’s EDR Coordinator

Credit Union Employee Protection

12 U.S.C. §1790b

2 years

federal court

Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act (CAARA)

15 U.S.C 7a-3

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Defend Trade Secrets Act

18 U.S.C. §1833(b)

N/A

immunity from liability

Defense Contractor Whistleblower Protection Act (DCWPA) (for contractors of DoD and NASA; contractor employees of other federal agencies can use the NDAA below)

10 U.S.C. § 4701 (formerly 10 U.S.C. § 2409)

3 years (for IG complaint), then 2 years for filing in court

Inspector General of contracting agency; then in federal court

Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement (DALE)

DHS Policy Statement 065-06

Not applicable

Basis for prosecutorial discretion in deportation cases in Immigration Court

Department of Energy Defense Activities Whistleblower Protection

42 U.S.C. § 7239

10 CFR Part 708

30 days to report violation; 90 days to report retaliation

Office of Hearings and Appeals

Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017

38 U.S.C. § 714(e); 5 U.S.C. §1214(f)

Prohibition against removal, demotion or suspension while whistleblower claim is pending

OSC; VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP)

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Commodity Exchange Act reward)

7 U.S.C. § 26

17 C.F.R. 165

Before anyone else files

Commodity Future Trading Commission

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (employee protection, see “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau” above for a list of covered laws)

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (obstruction of justice)

15 U.S.C. § 78u-6(h)(1)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 1513(e)

3 years from learning of violation and 6 years from the violation

federal court

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Securities Exchange Act reward)

15 U.S.C. § 78u-6

17 C.F.R. Parts 240, 249

Before anyone else files

Securities Exchange Commission

Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX)

20 U.S.C. § 1681, and sequence; implied claim under Jackson v. Birmingham Bd. Of Ed., 544 U.S. 167 (2005)

None, consider state statute of limitations

Federal court

Electronic Funds Transfer Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1693 (except with respect to interchange transaction fees that an issuer may receive or charge under 15 U.S.C. § 1693o-2). Whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

42 U.S.C. § 1395dd(i)

None in § 1395dd(i); 2 years under 42 U.S.C. § 1395dd(d)(2)(C); consider also state statutes of limitations

Federal or state court

Employee Polygraph Protection Act

29 U.S.C. § 2002

29 C.F.R. § 801et seq., esp. § 801.40

3 years

DOL/Federal District Court/State Court

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

29 U.S.C. §1132(a), §1140

3 years

Federal District Court

Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFASASHA)

9 U.S.C. §402

None

Any court in which a sexual assault or harassment claim is made

Energy Reorganization Act

42 U.S.C. § 5851

29 C.F.R. Part 24

180 days

DOL / OSHA, kick-out to federal court after one year

Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1691. Whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Equal Pay Act

29 U.S.C. § 206(d)

2 years; 3 years if “willful” violation

DOL or Federal district court

Fair Chance Act limiting consideration of criminal records in federal hiring

5 U.S.C. § 9202
5 C.F.R. Part 754

30 days for supervisors found to have violated the law, 5 C.F.R. § 754.204(a)

MSPB

Fair Credit Billing Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1666. Whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C § 1681 (except with respect to Reg Flag Guidelines pursuant to 15 U.S.C § 1681m(e) and disposal of consumer information derived from consumer reports pursuant to 15 U.S.C § 1681w -- both of which would be issues covered by other laws covering the institution). The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1692, and sequence. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Fair Housing Act

24 C.F.R. § 100.70(d)(1)

1 year for HUD FHEO, 2 years for court

HUD FHEO or federal or state court

Fair Labor Standards Act (wage & hour, child labor, minimum wage, overtime)

29 U.S.C. § 215(a)(3)

2 years; 3 years if “willful” violation

DOL/WHD, federal or state court

False Claims Act (FCA) (qui tam provision)

31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)

6 years; and before anyone else files

Federal District Court, under seal

False Claims Act (retaliation provision)

31 U.S.C. § 3730(h)

3 years

Federal District Court; see also NDAA

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

29 U.S.C. § 2615

2 years (3 years if violation was “willful”)

DOL, Federal District Court, or state court

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Sections 5102-5110 (for using paid sick leave, failing to find a replacement employee to cover, filing a complaint or testifying in a proceeding)  (in effect to 12/31/2020)

P.L. 116-127; 134 Stat 178, 195-200; note to 29 U.S.C. § 2601; enforced through 29 U.S.C. §  216, 217

3 years (requires proof of a “willful” violation)

DOL, Federal District Court, or state court

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

48 C.F.R. § 3.900, and sequence

3 years

Consider False Claims Act, NDAA and 10 U.S.C. § 4701 (formerly 10 U.S.C. § 2409) for retaliation claims

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

48 C.F.R. § 3.909-1 and 48 C.F.R. § 52.203-18

N/A

Prohibition on gag clauses by federal contractors

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employees

5 U.S.C. § 2303; 28 C.F.R. Part 27

DOJ Inspector General; OARM; with an appeal or (after 180 days) kick-out to the MSPB (as of 2022).

Federal Credit Union Act (FCUA)

12 U.S.C. § 1790b

2 years

Federal District Court

Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1831t(c)-(f) (requiring depository institutions to disclose lack of federal insurance) (see FDIC, below, for protection on other parts of the Act). This whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

12 U.S.C. § 1831j

2 years

Federal District Court

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

12 U.S.C. § 1831k

none for reward

federal banking agency

Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)

45 U.S.C. § 60

Federal Home Loan Banks, Resolution Trust Corporation

12 U.S.C. § 1441a

Federal Mine Health and Safety Act (MSHA)

30 U.S.C. 815(c), 29 C.F.R. 2700.40

60 days

MSHA, and FMSHRC (pronounced fim-SHRICK)

Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA)

49 U.S.C. § 20109

29 C.F.R. Part 1982

180 days

DOL / OSHA, bypass option to federal court after 210 days

Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), covering banks with insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

12 U.S.C. § 1831j

2 years

federal court

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Section 402

21 U.S.C. 399d

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), as enforced through Dodd-Frank

15 U.S.C. § 78u-6(h)(1)(A)

17 C.F.R. Parts 240, 249

3 years from learning of violation and 6 years from the violation

SEC for reward or federal court for retaliation

Foreign Service Act of 1980

22 U.S.C. § 3905

2 years, may be extended to 3 years for grievances against a rater or reviewer who continues in that role, if the grievance is filed within 1 year of when the grievant ceased to be subject to that rater or reviewer

Foreign Service Grievance Board (pursuant to 22 U.S.C. § 4133); Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)

42 U.S.C. § 2000ff-6(f); 29 C.F.R. Part 1635

180-300 days; 45 days for federal employees

EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; Agency EEO office (for federal employees); private cause of action in federal court after exhausting administrative complaint

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. § 6802-09 (except for enforcement proceedings under 15 U.S.C. § 6805 with respect to 15 U.S.C. § 6801(b) about the security of consumer information, which should be protected under the laws that regulate the particular financial institution). The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, 12 U.S.C § 2801. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, 15 U.S.C. § 1601 note. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Homeowners Protection Act of 1998, 12 U.S.C. § 4901. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

1 year

180 days

Intelligence Authorization Act of 2014 (for retaliation claims in security clearance and access determinations)

50 U.S.C. § 3341(j)

90 days

Employing agency

Intelligence Authorization Act of 2014 (for claims of retaliatory personnel actions against non-exempt or contractor employees in the Intelligence Community)

50 U.S.C. § 3234; PPD-19; ICD-120; DOD, Directive-Type Memorandum
13-008

None

Inspector General

Internal Revenue Code (IRC)
See Taxpayers First Act, below, for protection against retaliation

26 U.S.C. § 6103(f)(5)

Internal Revenue Code

26 U.S.C. § 6103(k)(13)

Internal Revenue Code, IRS whistleblower rewards

26 U.S.C. § 7623; IRS Manual, Part 25

International Safe Container Act of 1977

46 U.S.C. § 1506

60 days

DOL / OSHA

Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1701. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Jones Act (Maritime employees) [See also Seaman’s Protection Act, below]

46 U.S.C. § 688

Federal District Court, common law maritime tort implied.

Jury Duty Act (for service on federal juries)

28 U.S.C. § 1875

Federal District Court

Labor Management Relations Act

29 U.S.C. § 301

Varies with state law, sometimes 180 days

Federal District Court

Lloyd-LaFollette Act

5 U.S.C. § 7211

None in statute

See also, the Whistleblower Protection Act

Longshoreman’s and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act

33 U.S.C. § 948(a); 20 C.F.R. 702.271(b)

None

DOL, ESA District Director

Major Fraud Act of 1989

18 U.S.C. § 1031(h)

None in statute, consider state limitations

Federal District Court civil

Merit Systems Protection Board

5 U.S.C. § 7701(e) (civil service); 5 U.S.C. § 1214(a)(3), § 1221 (WPA IRA); 38 U.S.C. § 713 (VA SES)

30 days (civil service); 60 days (WPA IRA); 7 days (VA SES)

MSPB

Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act

29 U.S.C. § 1854, § 1855

29 CFR § 500.9

180 days for DOL complaint under § 1855(a); comparable state statute of limitations for court action under 29 U.S.C. § 1854(a) (no exhaustion is required)

DOL/WHD; or private civil action in court

Military Whistleblower Protection Act

10 U.S.C. § 1034

1 year

Inspector General, administrative remedy only, no private cause of action

“Mixed cases” for federal employees under the Civil Service Reform Act

5 U.S.C. § 7702

30 days (MSPB) or 45 days (Agency EEO)

After 120 days, option to file in federal court

Monetary Transactions (also called the Bank Secrecy Act)

31 U.S.C. § 5328

2 years

Federal District Court

Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act (monetary whistleblower awards)

49 U.S.C. § 30172

NHTSA

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)

49 U.S.C. § 30171

180 days

DOL / OSHA

National Credit Union Act (NCUA)

12 U.S.C. § 1790b

2 years

Federal District Court

National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA FY13), for employees of federal contractors

41 U.S.C. § 4712; 48 C.F.R. § 3.900, and sequence

3 years to file with IG; 2 years to file in court after exhaustion

Inspector General; then federal district court

National Labor Relations Act

29 U.S.C. § 158(a)

6 months

NLRB

National Security Act (for employee disclosures to Congress)

50 U.S.C. § 3033(k)(5)

none

Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (ICIG)

National Transit Systems Security Ace of 2007 (NTSSA)

6 U.S.C. § 1142

29 C.F.R. Part 1982

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Act

29 U.S.C. § 660(c) (“Part 11(c)”); 29 C.F.R. Part 1977

30 days

DOL / OSHA-no private cause of action

Omnibus Appropriations Act, 12 U.S.C. § 5538, (about CFPB regulation of mortgage loans). The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

29 U.S.C. § 218c; Section 1558 of P.L. 111-148

29 C.F.R. Part 1984

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Peace Corps Volunteer Discrimination Complaint Procedure

45 C.F.R §§ 1225.1 to 1225.21; retaliation prohibited at § 1225.6

30 days

Peace Corps Office of Civil Rights and Diversity (OCRD)

Peace Corps volunteer anti-retaliation procedures

Manual Section (MS) 271, Section 6.0

60 days

Peace Corps Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity (OCRD), or Inspector General

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act

49 U.S.C. § 60129

29 C.F.R. Part 1981

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Postal Service

ELM Section 666.18, 666.2, 666.3

15 days for non-bargaining unit employee grievances (ELM 652.231); union contract grievance deadline for bargaining unit employees; 30 days for MSPB appeal by preference eligible veterans; 45 days for EEO claims of retaliation; otherwise, no time limit for disclosures to USPS OIG or VP for Labor Relations (some OIG cases can be appealed to an ALJ, ELM 666.37; appeals from non-bargaining unit employee grievances are due to the ALJ within 30 days of a Step 1 decision, ELM 666.38)

Union grievance; USPS grievance and ALJ for non-bargaining unit employees; MSPB for preference eligible veterans; or USPS OIG

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

42 U.S.C. §§2000gg–2(f)

Same at Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; 180 or 300 days for private, state and local sectors; 45 days for federal executive branch employees

EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; Agency EEO office (for federal employees); private cause of action in federal court

Presidential and Executive Office Accountability Act (for White House, Presidential and Vice Presidential employees)

3 U.S.C. §§ 401-471; right to file a civil action is at 3 U.S.C. § 453 and 28 U.S.C. § 1346(g)

Maybe 180 days based on 3 U.S.C. § 452(a); or “the most relevant substantive executive agency regulation promulgated to implement the statutory provision at issue in the proceeding” under 3 U.S.C. § 455; time to file with the MSPB or court is between 30 and 90 days after the notice of the end of mediation under 3 U.S.C. § 453.

Claim commences with Agency counseling and mediation under 3 U.S.C. § 452, but may then progress to either the MSPB or federal court under 3 U.S.C. § 453

Privacy Act

5 U.S.C. § 552a

2 years

Federal District Court

Public Health Service Act

42 U.S.C. §1201, and sequence (1988), 42 C.F.R. Part 50, Subpart A, 42 C.F.R. §§ 50.103, 104

Administrative, within funded private entity

Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”)

38 U.S.C. § 1961- 68; 18 U.S.C. §1513(e)

4 years (applies Clayton Act statute of limitations); 3 years from discovery (under Dodd-Frank)

Federal District Court

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. § 2601, and sequence). The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Rehabilitation Act

29 U.S.C. § 794

29 C.F.R. § 1614 (for federal employees), § 1641 (for employees of federal contractors)

45 days (for federal employees); 180 days (for employees of federal contractors)

Administrative, DOL/OFCCP (for employees of federal contractors); Agency EEO office (for federal employees)

S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, 12 U.S.C. § 5101. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Safe Containers for International Cargo Act

46 U.S.C. §1506

60 days

DOL / OSHA

Safe Drinking Water Act

42 U.S.C. §300j-9

30 days

DOL / OSHA

Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX)

18 U.S.C. § 1514A

29 C.F.R. Part 1980

180 days

DOL / OSHA, kick-out to federal court after 180 days

Seaman’s Protection Act (SPA) as amended by Section 611 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

46 U.S. C. § 2114 (as amended 2010)

29 CFR Part 1986

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule on Implementation of the Whistleblower Provisions of Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

SEC Rule 21F-17; 17 CFR § 240.21F-17

Prohibition on publicly traded companies using confidentiality agreements, NDAs or gag clauses to restrict communications with the SEC staff; right to communicate with SEC without the knowledge or consent of corporate counsel.

Sick leave and minimum wage for employees of federal contractors

EO 13706; 29 CFR § 13.6; 29 C.F.R. § 13.41

None in regs

DOL/WHD

Solid Waste Disposal Act (including RCRA)

42 U.S.C. § 6971,
29 C.F.R. Part 24

30 days

DOL / OSHA

Speak Out Act

42 U.S.C. § 19403

Not applicable

Prohibits enforcement of pre-dispute non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs or "gag clauses") in sexual harassment and assault cases

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

30 U.S.C. §1293

30 C.F.R. Part 865

30 days

Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA), for truckers

49 U.S.C. § 31105

29 C.F.R. Part 1978

180 days to file with DOL / OSHA; wait 210 days for right to file in court

DOL / OSHA/kick-out to court

Taxpayers First Act
See IRC above for other tax related laws

26 U.S.C. §7623

180 days

DOL / OSHA/kick-out to court

Toxic Substances Control Act

15 U.S.C. §2622

29 C.F.R. Part 24

30 days

DOL / OSHA

Truth in Lending Act (TILA), 15 U.S.C. § 1601. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Truth in Savings Act, 12 U.S.C. § 4301. The whistleblower protection is in the part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

12 U.S.C. § 5567

29 C.F.R. Part 1985

180 days

DOL / OSHA

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA)

38 U.S.C. § 4301, et seq., 38 U.S.C. § 4311(b), § 4322, § 4324

Administrative (DOL-VETS) or private suit in Federal District Court

1 year

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA), for veterans preference

5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(11), § 3330a(a)

60 days, 5 U.S.C. § 3330a(a)(2)(A); after DOL-VETS notice 15 days for MSPB appeal, 5 C.F.R. § 1208.22

DOL-VETS (with potential referral to OSC, or with appeal to MSPB)

[Federal] Water Pollution Control Act (“Clean Water Act”)

33 U.S.C. § 1367(a), (b)

29 C.F.R. Part 24

30 days

DOL / OSHA

Welfare and Pensions Disclosure Act

29 U.S.C. § 1140

3 years

Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21^st Century (“AIR 21”)

42 U.S.C. § 42121

29 C.F.R. Part 1979

90 days

DOL / OSHA

Whistleblower Protection Act (federal government employees)

5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8) & (b)(9)

3 years

Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

Workforce Investment Act, (“Welfare to Work”), formerly Job Training and Partnership Act (JTPA)

29 C.F.R. Part 37

180 days

Recipient's Equal Opportunity Officer; or US Department of Labor, Civil Rights Center (CRC), Office of External Enforcement (OEE)