# 10 CFR § 708.5: Protected conduct

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.5

## Section

- **Citation:** 10 CFR § 708.5
- **Heading:** Protected conduct
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 10—Energy > CHAPTER III—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY > PART 708—DOE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE PROTECTION PROGRAM > Subpart A—General Provisions

## Text

An employee of a contractor may file a complaint against his employer alleging that he has been subject to retaliation for:
(a) Disclosing to a DOE official, a member of Congress, any other government official who has responsibility for the oversight of the conduct of operations at a DOE site, the employer, or any higher tier contractor, information that he reasonably believes reveals—
(1) A substantial violation of a law, rule, or regulation;
(2) A substantial and specific danger to employees or to public health or safety; or
(3) Fraud, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, or abuse of authority; or
(b) Participating in a Congressional proceeding or an administrative proceeding conducted under this part; or
(c) Subject to § 708.7 of this subpart, refusing to participate in an activity, policy, or practice if the employee believed participation would—
(1) Constitute a violation of a Federal health or safety law; or
(2) Cause the employee to have a reasonable fear of serious injury to himself, other employees, or members of the public.

## Nearby sections

- [10 CFR § 708.1 § 708.1 Scope and purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.1.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.2 § 708.2 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.2.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.3 § 708.3 Complaints covered.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.3.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.4 § 708.4 Complaints not covered.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.4.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.5 § 708.5 Protected conduct.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.5.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.6 § 708.6 Reasonable fear of serious injury.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.6.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.7 § 708.7 Filing a complaint based on retaliation for refusal to participate.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.7.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.8 § 708.8 Application to pending cases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.8.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.9 § 708.9 How to file complaints or other documents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.9.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.11 § 708.11 Filing a complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.11.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.12 § 708.12 No expectation of confidentiality.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.12.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.13 § 708.13 Requirements for the form and content of a complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.13.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.14 § 708.14 Exhaustion of grievance-arbitration procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.14.md)
- [10 CFR § 708.15 § 708.15 Time to file a complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.15.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-10-708.5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.