All Comparison Tables
State Whistleblower Protections
Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026
Coverage and remedies under each state's whistleblower protection statutes for public and private sector employees.
50 States3 data columnsLast updated: May 2026
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| State | Public Sector | Private Sector | Damages Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| Alaska | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Arizona | Yes | No | Back pay + fees |
| Arkansas | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| California | Yes | Yes | Treble damages |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Compensatory + punitive |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Georgia | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Idaho | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Indiana | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| Iowa | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Kansas | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Kentucky | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | Compensatory damages |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Treble damages |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Mississippi | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| Missouri | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Montana | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Nebraska | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | Compensatory damages |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Treble damages |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| New York | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| North Carolina | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| North Dakota | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Oklahoma | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | Compensatory + punitive |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | Treble damages |
| South Carolina | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| South Dakota | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Utah | Yes | No | Back pay |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | Back pay + fees |
| Wyoming | Yes | No | Reinstatement |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | Treble damages |
Federal statutes (Sarbanes-Oxley, Dodd-Frank, OSHA, etc.) may provide additional remedies; analysis of which statute applies should be done case-by-case.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.