According to figures recently released by OSHA, there has been a general increase in the number of whistleblower cases filed in fiscal year 2015 (FY 2015), in comparison to the number of cases filed in FY 2014.  Here are some of the key findings from OSHA’s FY 2015 figures:

• In FY 2015, there were 3,288 whistleblower complaints filed, which represents a 6% increase from 3,098 complaints filed in FY 2014.

• In FY 2015, OSHA completed 3,273 cases (including but not limited to whistleblower cases), which represents a 4% increase from 3,150 cases completed by OSHA in FY 2014.

• As in FY 2014, approximately 50% of complaint determinations were dismissals in FY 2015.

• In FY 2015, the number of claims filed under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), 156, made up 5% of the total number of cases received.  This represents a 7% increase from 146 cases filed under SOX in FY 2014.

• For the first time since the enactment of Dodd-Frank, the number of cases filed under the CFPA has decreased.  Since FY 2011, CFPA-related whistleblower complaints continued to rise, reaching the highest number in FY 2014, with 48 cases.  However, in FY 2015, there were 45 cases filed under the CFPA, which represents a 6% decrease from FY 2014.

In light of the rising numbers of whistleblower cases being filed, OSHA is requesting a 23% increase in whistleblower funding for fiscal year 2016.  The proposed funding increase would add 22 positions to the whistleblower staff and increase spending to $22.6 million.  As of now, the Senate has approved $15.8 million, while the House has approved $20 million.