Workforce

New Federal Workers More Likely to Be Fired After Filing Whistleblower Complaints

Between 17% and 69% of workers in their probationary period who filed whistleblower retaliation complaints were fired in 2018, GAO finds.

Workforce

‘I Was Met With Indifference’: Whistleblower Testifies on HHS Leaders' Response to His Early Coronavirus Concerns

Former vaccine agency director removed from position after speaking out implores Trump administration to let federal scientists "speak truthfully without fear of retribution."

Workforce

GovExec Daily: What Whistleblowers are Facing During Coronavirus

The Project on Government Oversight's Nick Schwellenbach joins the podcast to discuss the challenges whistleblowers see during the pandemic and beyond.

Workforce

Office of Special Counsel to Federal Employees: We’re Here to Protect You

As the office takes steps to protect its own employees, OSC has created a coronavirus task force to handle the rise in whistleblower disclosures and charges of retaliation.

Oversight

New Bill Would Strengthen Protections for Whistleblowers Who Expose Classified Information

The legislation would make it so that a narrower group of people could be prosecuted for revealing such information.  

Management

Federal Employees' Settlement Agreements Can Expire, Court Rules

Agencies can cut off special accommodations for feds, including whistleblowers, after "a reasonable time."

Oversight

Whistleblower Advocates Praise Pick to Lead New House Ombudsman Office

The office will train congressional staffers on handling disclosures of potential waste, fraud and abuse.

Management

VA Secretary Looked for Dirt on a House Staffer Who Reported Sexual Assault in a VA Hospital, Complaint Says

VA chief Robert Wilkie called a House policy advisor’s assault allegation “unsubstantiated” even though an independent investigation found it was not.

Oversight

Interior Whistleblower Reinstated and Promoted as Part of Settlement Agreement

The Office of Special Counsel found that department officials retaliated against an employee after he reported insufficient environmental studies of Alaskan drilling sites.

Management

Justice Roberts Rightly Refused to Out the Ukraine Whistleblower

Naming whistleblowers in private sector investigations is illegal – the same protections should apply to federal employees.

Workforce

Whistleblower Protection Agency, Judge Clash Over Which Feds to Protect From Reprisal

A narrow interpretation of a new law could discourage federal employees from reporting wrongdoing, agency says.

Workforce

Agency Officials Are Increasingly Retaliating Against Whistleblowers With Impunity, IG Says

Lawmakers and advocates say Trump's attacks on the whistleblower that kicked off his impeachment will have long-lasting negative effects.

Oversight

House Committees Demand Documents on EEOC Official Time Proposal

Federal employee unions and Democratic lawmakers have criticized a proposed rule that would strip union employees from the right to official time when aiding a colleague to prepare a discrimination complaint.

Workforce

With Appeals Board Hamstrung, Congress Declines to Intervene on Behalf of Whistleblowers Facing Discipline

Inaction comes as MSPB lacks board members and many feds say impeachment proceedings have left them less likely to report wrongdoing.

Oversight

Special Counsel Alerts White House and Congress of ‘Significant Financial Mismanagement’ at VA

Findings include over $223 million in wasteful spending and delayed payments for veterans’ medical bills.

Oversight

Intel and Defense IGs Reaffirm Commitment to Protecting Whistleblowers During 'Searing Time'

“Time will tell whether whistleblowers’ rights and protections will emerge from this period with the same legal, ethical, and moral strength they had previously,” one watchdog wrote.