Datasets:

referencesource
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whistleblower-filing-deadlines

covered_industry string	derived_fields list	enforcement_mechanism string	filing_deadline_days string	id string	private_right_of_action string	source string	source_quote string	statute_short_name string	url string	usc_citation string	verified_fields list
Health insurance reform	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; procedures follow 15 U.S.C. § 2087(b) (CPSIA whistleblower provision)	180	affordable-care-act-aca	Yes; employee may file in federal court per the procedures of 15 U.S.C. § 2087(b)	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/aca	Under Section 1558 of the ACA, retaliation complaints must be filed within 180 days of the adverse action, as required under 15 U.S.C. §2087(b), the whistleblower provision of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.	Affordable Care Act (ACA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/affordable-care-act-aca/	29 U.S.C. § 218C	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Anti-money laundering / Bank Secrecy Act enforcement	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; governed by requirements under section 42121(b) of title 49 (AIR21 procedures); alternatively, action in district court if no final decision within 180 days	90	anti-money-laundering-act-amla	Yes; if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final decision within 180 days of the filing of a complaint, and there is no showing that such a delay is due to the bad faith of the claimant, bringing an action against the employer at law or in equity in the appropriate district court of the United States	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/complaint_page	Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)	Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/anti-money-laundering-act-amla/	31 U.S.C. § 5323	[ "filing_deadline_days", "private_right_of_action" ]
Asbestos abatement in schools and public buildings	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor reviews the complaint; investigation conducted in accordance with section 660(c) of Title 29	90	asbestos-hazard-emergency-response-act-ahera	No	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/ahera	Any public or private employee or representative of employees who believes he or she has been fired or otherwise discriminated against in violation of subsection (a) may within 90 days after the alleged violation occurs apply to the Secretary of Labor for a review of the firing or alleged discrimination. The review sha...	Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/asbestos-hazard-emergency-response-act-ahera/	15 U.S.C. §2651	[ "enforcement_mechanism", "filing_deadline_days" ]
Air quality and emissions	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; Secretary investigates and issues an order on the record after notice and opportunity for public hearing	30	clean-air-act-caa	No; review is by the Secretary's order, appealable to U.S. Court of Appeals; employee may enforce a Secretary's order in district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/caa	Any employee who believes that he has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, within thirty days after such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his behalf a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as th...	Clean Air Act (CAA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/clean-air-act-caa/	42 U.S.C. § 7622	null
Hazardous waste cleanup and environmental response	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates, provides opportunity for public hearing, makes findings of fact, and issues order requiring affirmative action to abate the violation or denying the application; order is subject to judicial review	30	comprehensive-environmental-response-compensation-and-liability-act-cercla	No	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/cercla	Any employee or a representative of employees who believes that he has been fired or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) of this section may, within thirty days after such alleged violation occurs, apply to the Secretary of Labor for a review of such firing or alleged discrimina...	Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/comprehensive-environmental-response-compensation-and-liability-act-cercla/	42 U.S.C. §9610	null
Consumer financial products and services	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates, determines reasonable cause within 60 days, issues preliminary order; either party may request hearing on the record; Secretary issues final order within 120 days of hearing conclusion	180	consumer-financial-protection-act-of-2010-cfpa	Yes, if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final order within 210 days after the date of filing of a complaint, or within 90 days after receiving a written determination, the complainant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/dfa_1057	A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, not later than 180 days after the date on which such alleged violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor allegin...	Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (CFPA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/consumer-financial-protection-act-of-2010-cfpa/	12 U.S.C. § 5567	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Consumer product manufacturing, distribution, and retail	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates, determines reasonable cause within 60 days, issues preliminary order; either party may request hearing on the record; Secretary issues final order within 120 days of hearing conclusion	180	consumer-product-safety-improvement-act-cpsia	Yes, if the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 210 days after the filing of the complaint, or within 90 days after receiving a written determination, the complainant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/cpsia	A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, not later than 180 days after the date on which such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor alleging such d...	Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/consumer-product-safety-improvement-act-cpsia/	15 U.S.C. §2087	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Antitrust enforcement	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; governed under the rules and procedures set forth in section 42121(b) of title 49; Secretary of Labor may issue orders	180	criminal-antitrust-anti-retaliation-act-caara	Yes, if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final decision within 180 days of the filing of the complaint and there is no showing that such delay is due to the bad faith of the claimant, bringing an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/caara	A complaint under paragraph (1)(A) shall be filed with the Secretary of Labor not later than 180 days after the date on which the violation occurs.	Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act (CAARA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/criminal-antitrust-anti-retaliation-act-caara/	15 U.S.C. § 7a-3	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Nuclear energy	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; Secretary investigates and issues an order on the record after notice and opportunity for public hearing; preliminary order issued upon recommended decision of merit	180	energy-reorganization-act-era	Yes; if the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 1 year after the filing of a complaint, and there is no showing that such delay is due to the bad faith of the person seeking relief, such person may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/era_2005	Any employee who believes that he has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, within 180 days after such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to as the "Secretary") al...	Energy Reorganization Act (ERA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/energy-reorganization-act-era/	42 U.S.C. § 5851	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Food manufacturing, processing, packing, transporting, distribution, reception, holding, and importation	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates, determines reasonable cause within 60 days, issues preliminary order; either party may request hearing on the record; Secretary issues final order within 120 days of hearing conclusion	180	fda-food-safety-modernization-act-fsma	Yes, if the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 210 days after the filing of the complaint, or within 90 days after receiving a written determination, the complainant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/fda_402	A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, not later than 180 days after the date on which such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (referred to in...	FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/fda-food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/	21 U.S.C. § 399d	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Railroad	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; governed under rules and procedures of section 42121(b) (AIR21 procedures); de novo review available in district court if no final decision within 210 days	180	federal-railroad-safety-act-frsa	Yes; if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final decision within 210 days after the filing of the complaint and if the delay is not due to the bad faith of the employee, the employee may bring an original action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/frsa	An action under paragraph (1) shall be commenced not later than 180 days after the date on which the alleged violation of subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this section occurs.	Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/federal-railroad-safety-act-frsa/	49 U.S.C. § 20109	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Water pollution control	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; Secretary investigates with opportunity for public hearing, makes findings of fact, and issues an order requiring affirmative action or denying the complaint	30	federal-water-pollution-control-act-fwpca	No; Secretary's order is subject to judicial review in the same manner as orders of the Administrator under the Act	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/fwpca	Any employee or a representative of employees who believes that he has been fired or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) of this section may, within thirty days after such alleged violation occurs, apply to the Secretary of Labor for a review of such firing, or alleged discrimin...	Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/federal-water-pollution-control-act-fwpca/	33 U.S.C. § 1367	null
International shipping container safety	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates; if a violation is found, the Secretary may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court; court has jurisdiction to restrain violations and order appropriate relief including reinstatement with back pay	60	international-safe-container-act-isca	No	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/isca	An employee alleging to have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of subsection (a) may file a complaint with the Secretary of Labor. The complaint must be filed within 60 days after the violation.	International Safe Container Act (ISCA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/international-safe-container-act-isca/	46 U.S.C. §80507	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Motor vehicle safety (manufacturers, part suppliers, and dealerships)	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates, determines reasonable cause within 60 days, issues preliminary order; either party may request hearing on the record; Secretary issues final order within 120 days of hearing conclusion	180	moving-ahead-for-progress-in-the-21st-century-act-map-21	Yes, if the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 210 days after the filing of the complaint and if the delay is not due to the bad faith of the employee, the employee may bring an original action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/map21	A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may file (or have any person file on his or her behalf), not later than 180 days after the date on which such violation occurs, a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (hereinafter in...	Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/moving-ahead-for-progress-in-the-21st-century-act-map-21/	49 U.S.C. 30171	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Public transportation	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates, determines reasonable cause within 60 days, issues preliminary order; either party may request hearing on the record; Secretary issues final order within 120 days of hearing conclusion	180	national-transit-systems-security-act-ntssa	Yes, if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final decision within 210 days after the filing of the complaint and if the delay is not due to the bad faith of the employee, the employee may bring an original action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/ntssa	A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) or (b) may, not later than 180 days after the date on which such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor alleging...	National Transit Systems Security Act (NTSSA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/national-transit-systems-security-act-ntssa/	6 U.S.C. § 1142	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
General workplace safety	[ "covered_industry" ]	OSHA investigates; if violation found, the Secretary brings an action in United States district court	30	osh-act-section-11-c	No; only the Secretary of Labor may bring an action in federal court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/oshact	Any employee who believes that he has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of this subsection may, within thirty days after such violation occurs, file a complaint with the Secretary alleging such discrimination. Upon receipt of such complaint, the Secretary shall cause such inv...	OSH Act Section 11(c)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/osh-act-section-11-c/	29 U.S.C. § 660(c)	[ "private_right_of_action" ]
Pipeline safety	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; Secretary investigates with preliminary order, then final order after hearing; de novo review available in district court if no final decision within 210 days	180	pipeline-safety-improvement-act-psia	Yes; if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final decision by the date that is 210 days after the date on which the complaint was filed, and if the delay is not due to the bad faith of the employee who filed the complaint, that employee may bring an original action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropr...	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/psia	A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, not later than 180 days after the date on which such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor alleging such d...	Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/pipeline-safety-improvement-act-psia/	49 U.S.C. § 60129	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Drinking water safety	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; Secretary investigates, issues an order on the record after notice and opportunity for agency hearing	30	safe-drinking-water-act-sdwa	No; Secretary's order is appealable to U.S. Court of Appeals; Secretary or employee may enforce order in district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/sdwa	Any employee who believes that he has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of paragraph (1) may, within 30 days after such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the "S...	Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/safe-drinking-water-act-sdwa/	42 U.S.C. § 300j-9(i)	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Publicly traded companies and securities	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; governed under rules and procedures of section 42121(b) of title 49 (AIR21 procedures)	180	sarbanes-oxley-act-sox	Yes; if the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 180 days of the filing of the complaint and there is no showing that such delay is due to the bad faith of the claimant, bringing an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/sox_amended	An action under paragraph (1) shall be commenced not later than 180 days after the date on which the violation occurs, or after the date on which the employee became aware of the violation.	Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/sarbanes-oxley-act-sox/	18 U.S.C. § 1514A	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Maritime / seamen	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed in the same manner as under subsection (b) of section 31105 of title 49 (STAA procedures); subject to the same procedures, requirements, and rights	180	seaman-s-protection-act-spa	Yes; per STAA procedures referenced in the statute, de novo review available in district court if no final decision within 210 days	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/spa	A seaman alleging discharge or discrimination in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or another person at the seaman’s request, may file a complaint with respect to such allegation in the same manner as a complaint may be filed under subsection (b) of section 31105 of title 49. Such complaint shall be subject ...	Seaman’s Protection Act (SPA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/seaman-s-protection-act-spa/	46 U.S.C. § 2114	[ "enforcement_mechanism" ]
Solid waste management and disposal	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates, provides opportunity for public hearing, makes findings of fact, and issues order requiring affirmative action to abate the violation or denying the application; order is subject to judicial review	30	solid-waste-disposal-act-swda	No	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/swda	Any employee or a representative of employees, who believe that he has been fired or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) of this section may, within thirty days after such alleged violation occurs, apply to the Secretary of Labor for a review of such firing or alleged discrimina...	Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/solid-waste-disposal-act-swda/	42 U.S.C. §6971	null
Commercial motor vehicle transportation	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; Secretary investigates, issues preliminary order with relief, then final order after hearing; governed by legal burdens of proof set forth in section 42121(b)	180	surface-transportation-assistance-act-staa	Yes; if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final decision within 210 days after the filing of the complaint and if the delay is not due to the bad faith of the employee, the employee may bring an original action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/staa	An employee alleging discharge, discipline, or discrimination in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or another person at the employee's request, may file a complaint with the Secretary of Labor not later than 180 days after the alleged violation occurred.	Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/surface-transportation-assistance-act-staa/	49 U.S.C. § 31105	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Tax administration and internal revenue enforcement	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; governed under the rules and procedures set forth in section 42121(b) of title 49, United States Code	180	taxpayer-first-act-tfa	Yes, if the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final decision within 180 days of the filing of the complaint and there is no showing that such delay is due to the bad faith of the claimant, bringing an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/tfa	A complaint under subparagraph (A)(i) hall be filed not later than 180 days after the date on which the violation occurs.	Taxpayer First Act (TFA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/taxpayer-first-act-tfa/	26 U.S.C. § 7623(d)	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Chemical substances and mixtures regulation	[ "covered_industry" ]	Secretary of Labor investigates within 30 days, issues order within 90 days providing relief or denying the complaint; order made on the record after notice and opportunity for agency hearing	30	toxic-substances-control-act-tsca	No	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/tsca	Any employee who believes that the employee has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) of this section may, within 30 days after such alleged violation occurs, file (or have any person file on the employee's behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor (herein...	Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/	15 U.S.C. §2622	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]
Aviation	[ "covered_industry" ]	Complaint filed with Secretary of Labor; Secretary investigates with preliminary order, then final order after hearing	90	wendell-h-ford-aviation-investment-and-reform-act-for-the-21st-century-air21	No explicit kickout provision; employee may enforce Secretary's order in district court	https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/air21	A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may, not later than 90 days after the date on which such violation occurs, file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor alleging such di...	Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21)	https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/wendell-h-ford-aviation-investment-and-reform-act-for-the-21st-century-air21/	49 U.S.C. § 42121	[ "filing_deadline_days" ]

Federal Whistleblower Protection Filing Deadlines by Statute

Canonical, always-current version: https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/ Machine-readable: https://referencesource.org/whistleblower-filing-deadlines/data.json — this mirror is a point-in-time copy.

Last verified: 2026-08-15
Stale after: 2027-08-15 (past this date, prefer the canonical copy — it re-verifies on a cadence this snapshot does not)
Records: 25

Filing deadlines, covered industries, and enforcement mechanisms for the 25 federal whistleblower protection statutes administered by OSHA. Each statute protects employees who report violations in a specific industry and requires complaints to be filed within a set number of days — from 30 (OSH Act, Clean Air Act) to 180 (SOX, FRSA, ACA). Missing the deadline bars the complaint regardless of merit.

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Sources

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