| Nuclear Whistleblowers FAQ |
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What Federal Laws Protect Nuclear Whistleblowers? Who Is Protected? Who Can File a Complaint? What is Illegal Discrimination? Where Should Complaints Be Filed? What Are the Statutes Of Limitations? Do Other Laws Protect Whistleblowers? Can I file in Federal Court? What remedies are available to employees under the Sarbanes Oxley whistleblower law? What Federal Laws Protect Nuclear Whistleblowers? Whistleblowers in the nuclear power and nuclear weapons industries are specifically protected under section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act. (Top) Who Is Protected? Private sector employees and federal employees working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the Department of Energy. (Top) Who Can File a Complaint? Any employee who believes he or she has been discriminated against in retaliation for "blowing the whistle" on a nuclear safety problem. (Top) What is Illegal Discrimination? Almost any adverse change to the whistleblower's terms and conditions of employment is prohibited. This includes a wide range of actions from reprimands to terminations and blacklisting. (Top) Where Should Complaints Be Filed? These laws are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Complaints must be filed in writing and should be filed with the local OSHA Office of the DOL and/or mailed to: U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Assistant Secretary Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Room: S2315 200 Constitution Avenue Washington, D.C. 20210 (202) 693-2000 (Top) What Are the Statutes Of Limitations? A nuclear industry employee filing a complaint under the Energy Reorganization Act must file within 180 days. (Top) Do Other Laws Protect Whistleblowers? Many states have enacted laws to protect whistleblowers. Most of these laws have a longer statue of limitations and other benefits unavailable under federal law. If an employee is reporting fraud by a government contractor, these concerns may be covered under the False Claims Act. To report these concerns, please fill out our confidential Attorney Referral / Report Fraud Now form. (Top) Can I file in Federal Court? The Atomic Energy Act was recently amended to permit employees to file claims in federal court if the DOL fails to issue its final decision within one year. (Top) What remedies are available to employees under the Sarbanes Oxley whistleblower law?
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A Tribute to Roger Wensil.
1994 National Whistleblowers Center Press Conference