Almost any employee working at a nuclear site or with nuclear materials, whether employed in the private sector or by a local, state or federal government agency, is covered by these laws.  Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Department of Energy-regulated licensees, utilities, contractors, subcontractors, agents or other employers are subject to the protections of Section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act.  Section 211 is "codified" or collected with other similar laws passed by Congress in the United States Code of laws, at 42 U.S.C. § 5851. 

Under Section 211, any employee who believes he or she has been discriminated against in retaliation for "blowing the whistle" on a safety problem or environmental violation, or for engaging in other activity protected under the law, may file a discrimination charge. Almost any adverse change in the whistleblower's terms and conditions of employment is prohibited by Section 211. This includes reprimands, poor performance appraisals, and other unfair treatment.

Return to Search Results