1. Small business may comment to the Department or Small Business Administration (SBA) without fear of retaliation regarding any:
    
   1. Audit
   2. On-site inspection
   3. Compliance assistance effort
   4. Other enforcement-related communication or contact by a Department employee.
       
2. Any employee who interferes with the ability of a small business to comment under paragraph (a) is subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include suspension or termination from employment with the Department.
    
3. "Retaliation" means any action that is:

1. Threatened as a means of preventing small business from commenting;
2. Taken to adversely affect a small business that has made comments to the Department  or SBA about inspection or enforcement activities.
3. Taken in an effort to reciprocate or get revenge as a result of comments made.
4. Designed to impose more rigorous compliance standards and that is not the result of a change in law or regulation.

SBA Ombudsman

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Last Updated: 11/06/2008, 09:28:07 AM