Employers may not take any action to impede you from communicating directly with the Commission's staff about possible violations of the Commodity Exchange Act, including by enforcing, or threatening to enforce, a confidentiality agreement or predispute arbitration agreement with respect to such communications. Nor may employers discharge, demote, suspend, harass, or in any way discriminate against you because of any lawful act done by you in providing information to the Commission under the whistleblower program or assisting the Commission in any investigation or proceeding based on the information submitted. If you believe that your employer has wrongfully retaliated against you, you may bring a private action in federal court against your employer, within two years of the employer's retaliatory act. If you prevail, you may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, litigation costs, expert witness fees and attorney's fees. The CFTC also has authority under the CEA to bring an enforcement action against your employer for any retaliatory acts. Rules 165.19, 165.20; Whistleblower Rules, Appendix A

Other federal and state statutes may offer anti-retaliation protections in addition to those provided by the Commodity Exchange Act. If you have questions about these other statutes, please contact an attorney.