The statutes are intended to create an environment in which an individual can bring a hazardous or unlawful situation to the attention of the public or the government without fear of personal reprisal. Such disclosures can be a valuable source of information especially where the public lacks the knowledge or access to information necessary to be fully informed on these important issues. Adjudicatory responsibility is similarly divided. For example, while several statutes provide for adjudication by a DOL administrative law judge, others provide for decisions by different agencies or for trial in the district court. Judicial review likewise differs.
Some statutes provide for review in the district court, some in the court of appeals.
And for some, no review is available. Statutes of limitations for filing a complaint range from 30 days to 180 days. Definitions of protected conduct differ according to statute. Protected conduct may or may not include refusals to work. As a result of these statutory incongruities, available procedures and protections may differ depending solely upon the industry to which an aggrieved employee belongs.