Whistleblower Retaliation Cases Investigated by State Agencies* In California, complaints of retaliation against whistleblowers take longer to investigate than in any other state, and on average are less likely to result in a settlement or victory for the complainant.
State
Cases completed
Average days to complete
Dismissed or withdrawn**
Percent settled or won by whistleblowers***
Alaska
15
161
47%
53%
Arizona
72
109
86
14
California
125
484
90
10
Connecticut
3
204
33
67
Hawaii
12
139
67
33
Indiana
61
58
64
36
Iowa
20
108
65
35
Kentucky
30
85
87
13
Maryland
1
69
0
100
Michigan
109
80
93
7
Minnesota
26
66
88
12
Nevada
39
53
85
15
New Jersey
17
70
82
18
New Mexico
8
47
88
13
New York
22
156
100
0
North Carolina
78
114
86
14
101
74
81
19
22
67
73
27
9
79
89
11
Tennessee
26
73
62
38
Utah
15
101
93
7
Vermont
8
89
75
25
Virginia
44
52
91
9
4
3,723
100
0
81
71
63
37
1
70
100
0
949
246
81
19
Oregon Puerto Rico South Carolina
Virgin Islands Washington Wyoming Totals
*Cases closed between October 1, 2008 and September 15, 2009. The listed states have primary responsibility for workplace safety under agreements with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. **Cases dismissed as lacking merit or withdrawn by the complainant. ***Cases that resulted in settlements or investigative findings in the complainant's favor. SOURCE: OSHA figures provided to the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor