Oversight

Senator wants info on inspectors general office sexual harassment settlements

Grassley wrote that whistleblowers informed his office that the financial agreements required complainants to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Updated Oversight

VA whistleblowers honored for uncovering mismanagement of veterans’ personal information

Despite receiving OSC’s Public Servant award, the whistleblowers disagreed with investigators’ conclusions that they could not substantiate all of their accusations regarding the department’s alleged inappropriate use of personally identifiable information.

Oversight

OSC praises case resolutions involving alleged retaliation against federal employees

The findings come as the Merit Systems Protection Board makes a change to how it handles OSC petitions.

Oversight

MSPB to update rules to make operations smoother without a quorum

An interim final rule slated for publication next week updates the Merit Systems Protection Board’s procedures to allow the agency to take more actions without a full slate of political appointees.

Workforce

D.C. lawmaker reintroduces measure to grant whistleblower, OSHA protections to congressional workers

The Congress Leads by Example Act would afford employees of the legislative branch whistleblower and OSHA retaliation protections, along with parental bereavement leave benefits.

Management

Transparency and urgency are needed to deter agency misconduct and protect federal workers

COMMENTARY | The head of the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that investigates allegations of government misconduct, has a proposal.

Oversight

PEER sues to force OPM to implement administrative leave reforms

Though Congress enacted a law aimed at ending agencies’ abuse of involuntary administrative leave, the federal government’s dedicated HR agency has yet to implement its key provisions.

Pay & Benefits

Federal whistleblowers are entitled to damages for missed future pay, court rules

Employees can receive compensatory payments if their firings caused harm that prevented future earnings.

Management

Court rules for DHS employees alleging their division was disbanded in retaliation to their whistleblowing

The decision sets a new precedent for federal employees that denied promotions -- even if never fully promised -- can amount to retaliation.

Management

House committee chair applauds suspension of three top VA cops amid harassment allegations

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said in a statement that whistleblowers at the Atlanta VA Medical Center informed the committee of claims of sexual harassment, retaliation and misconduct within the center’s police department. 

Oversight

An inspector general warned the Justice Department of gaps in its security clearance appeals process

The department and its component agencies have failed to implement a provision of the 2014 Intelligence Authorization Act guaranteeing federal employees of the right to appeal lengthy security clearance suspensions.

Oversight

Biden to replace embattled acting Commerce IG

Jill Baisinger, current chief of staff in the Interior Department’s Office of the Inspector General, will take over for Roderick Anderson at the end of May.

Updated News

Group says CBP official drank while carrying firearm, retaliated against whistleblower

The Government Accountability Project sent a letter Wednesday to multiple congressional committees, the Homeland Security Department and others alleging a senior official consumed alcohol while in possession of an agency-issued firearm.

Management

Special Counsel’s office cites whistleblower protections in immigration judge gag order

The Office of the Special Counsel highlighted its recent enforcement actions of Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act provisions to curb agency efforts to chill employee speech.

Updated Oversight

House committee leaders want Biden to oust the acting Commerce IG

Lawmakers on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee said the current acting inspector general is “entangled” in the allegations that led to his predecessor’s ouster, adding that they lack confidence in “any” senior staffers to lead the watchdog office.

Oversight

Bill enhancing contractor whistleblower protections advances to the Senate

The bipartisan proposal would close loopholes that have left federal contractors vulnerable to retaliation.

Management

Key federal workforce agencies get confirmed leaders

Biden finally has confirmed heads at the primary civil service enforcement agencies.

Oversight

Senate finance chair calls for inspector general’s ouster

Sen. Ron Wyden on Thursday urged President Biden to remove Social Security Administration Inspector General Gail Ennis after a series of controversies and allegations of whistleblower retaliation.

Workforce

Senate takes first steps to refill federal workforce watchdog roles

At the civil service appeals agency, parts of the workforce are voicing frustration with current leadership.