Whistleblower or similar anti-retaliation protections providing a private cause of action or administrative remedy are also found in various of the federal statutes listed below . The list below is still "under construction," but should assist you in researching your own situation. 

Whistleblower or Retaliation Statute Legal Citation Statute of Limitations* Intake Agency or Judicial Forum
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) 29 U.S.C. § 623(d) 180-300 days EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; private cause of action in federal court
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 42 U.S.C. §12203(a)

29 C.F.R. Part 1640

 180-300 days EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; private cause of action in federal 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
Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VII) 42 U.S.C. § 2003a 180-300 days EEOC/state employment discrimination agency; private cause of action in federal court
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 5 U.S.C. § 2302 None in statute No private cause of action, administrative remedies only
Civil Service Reform Act
 (FBI employees) 		5 U.S.C. § 2303    See Whistleblower Protection Act
Civilian Employees of the Armed Forces 10 U.S.C. § 1587   Secretary of Defense/OPM, MSPB
Civil War Reconstruction Era Federal Civil Rights Statutes 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981,1983, 1985, 1985(2) (witness protection) 28 U.S.C. §
1658(a) applies
4-year statute
of limitation to
laws enacted
after December
1, 1990;
otherwise 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
Coast Guard whistleblower protection 46 U.S. C. § 2114 None in statute Federal District Court
Commercial Motor Vehicles Program 49 U.S.C. § 31105 180 days DOL
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("Super Fund"), 42 U.S.C. § 9610
29 C.F.R. Part 24		 30 days DOL/OSHA
Contractor Employees of the Armed Forces 10 U.S.C. § 2409 None in statute Inspector General of contracting agency, no private cause of action recognized by courts
Employee Polygraph Protection Act 29 U.S.C. § 2002 29 C.F.R. § 801 et 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
Energy Reorganization Act 42 U.S.C. § 5851
29 C.F.R. Part 24 		180 days DOL/OSHA
Equal Pay Act

 

 29 U.S.C. § 206(d) 2 years, 3 years if "wilful" violation DOL or Federal District Court
Fair Labor Standards Act       (wage & hour, child labor, minimum wage, overtime) 29 U.S.C. § 215(a)(3)
29 C.F.R. Part 783		 2 years, 3 years if "willful" violation DOL, Federal District Court, or state court
False Claims Act 31 U.S.C. §3730(h) 6 years (less in California & other jurisdictions) Federal District Court
Family and Medical Leave Act "[FMLA"] 29 U.S.C. § 2615 2 years (3 years if "willful" violation) DOL, Federal District Court, or state court
Federal Credit Unions 12 U.S.C. § 1790(b)   Federal District Court
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 12 U.S.C. § 1831j    
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 30 U.S.C. § 815(c) 60 days DOL
Federal Railway Safety Act 45 U.S.C. § 441 (old) now 49 U.S.C. § 20109 Complaint to be
filed under Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. § 153).
 		 National Railroad Adjustment Board; State law claims may be preempted
Foreign Service Act of 1980 22 U.S.C. § 3905    
-Hazardous Materials Transportation Act 49 U.S.C. §1801, enforced by 45 U.S.C. §441(a), (e).    
Jones Act (Maritime employees) 46 U.S.C. § 688   Federal District Court, common law maritime tort implied.
Job Training and Partnership Act (JTPA) (See Workforce Investment Act ("Welfare to Work") )      
Labor Management Relations Act 29 U.S.C. § 301 Varies with state law, generally 180 days-15 years Federal District Court
Lloyd-LaFollette Act 5 U.S.C. § 7211 None in statute  
Longshoreman’s and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act 33 U.S.C. §948(a)   DOL
Major Fraud Act of 1989 18 U.S.C. § 1031 None in statute Federal District Court, civil
Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act 29 U.S.C. §§1854, 1855 180 days DOL
Military Whistleblower Protection Act 10 U.S.C. § 1034 None in statute Office of Inspector General,
administrative remedy only, no private cause of action
National Labor Relations Act 29 U.S.C. §158(a)(4) 6 months NLRB
Occupational Safety and Health Act 29 U.S.C. §660(c)
29 C.F.R. Part 1977 (Part 11(c)")		 30 days DOL/OSHA-no private cause of action

Public Health Service Act,
42 U.S.C. §1201 et seq. (1988)

42 CFR Part 50, Subpart A, 42 C.F.R. §§ 50.103, 104

   Administrative, within funded private entity
Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO")(very limited whistleblower applicability-see Beck v. Prupis, 529 U.S. 494(2000) 38 U.S.C. § 1961-68 4 years (applies Clayton Act statute of limitations) Federal District Court
Rehabilitation Act 29 U.S.C. § 794,
29 C. F. R. §§ 1614,
1641, Chapter 60		   Administrative, DOL/OFCCP; EEOC
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 18 U.S.C. § 1514A 90 days DOL/OSHA
Solid Waste Disposal Act 42 U.S.C. §6971    29 C.F.R. Part 24 30 days DOL/OSHA
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 30 U.S.C. §1293 None in statute Administrative, DOL
Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) 49 U.S.C. §2305    29 C.F.R. Part 1978 180 days DOL/OSHA
Toxic Substances Control Act 15 U.S.C.§2622     29 C.F.R. Part 24 30 days DOL/OSHA
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 38 U.S.C. § 4301,
et seq., 38 U.S.C.
§4311(b)		   Administrative
(Secretary of Defense, OPM) or private suit in Federal District
Court
-Veterans Reemployment Rights Act, 38 U.S.C. §4311(b) 38 U.S.C. §4311(b)    
[Federal] Water Pollution Control Act ("Clean Water Act"). 33 U.S.C. §1311,
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 21st Century
(“AIR 21")		 42 U.S.C. § 42121 90 days DOL/OSHA
Whistleblower Protection Act (federal government employees)

5 U.S.C. §§ 2302(b)(8) & (b)(9)

 180 days DOL
Workforce Investment Act ("Welfare to Work") formerly Job Training and Partnership Act
(JTPA)		 29 U.S.C. §1574(g)
or
29 U.S.C. § 2934(f)		   DOL-but see 29 C.F.R. Part 37, §§ 629.51, 637.11

An important resource are the Department of Labor’s websites:

http://www.dol.gov/dol/compliance/comp-whistleblower.htm
www.osha.gov/dep/oia/whistleblower/
http://www.oalj.dol.gov/

© 2000-2005  Ann Lugbill, Esq.

Disclaimer: WARNING: Do not rely upon this table for legal advice. This summary table is provided for information only and to assist attorneys in legal research. It is not warranted to be accurate in any respect. This table cannot replace the need for independent research or legal advice regarding where, when, and how your claim can be brought. Further, the statutes of limitations herein may not apply to your case or situation, may no longer be applicable, and, like any employment-related law, are always subject to change at any time, by act of Congress, agency practice, the courts, or changing facts in the case itself.
 

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