OSHA to investigate whistleblower retaliation claims

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Friday that it will now oversee complaints of worker retaliation filed under two new whistleblower statutes: the Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

As part of its enforcement of the Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2020, OSHA will investigate individual whistleblower complaints of retaliation for reporting criminal antitrust violations to their superiors or the federal government or assisting an investigation or proceeding related to possible antitrust law violations.

In cases involving the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which went into effect Jan. 1, OSHA will investigate individual whistleblower retaliation complaints for reporting money laundering-related violations to their superiors or the federal government or participating in investigations related to a possible violation of anti-money laundering laws.

Until OSHA issues interim final rules, the agency will process whistleblower complaints related to these statutes using procedures under the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century.