Whistleblower Protection

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial entity, handles all complaints of reprisal or retaliation for whistleblowing.  These complaints are reviewed by the OSC as a prohibited personnel practice. 

A reprisal or retaliation is defined by law as occurring when an individual takes, fails to take, or threatens to take a personnel action with respect to any employee or applicant for employment because of any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant which the employee or applicant reasonably believes there is evidence of a violation of any law, rule or regulation or gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety, if such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law and if such information is not specifically required by Executive Order. 

If you wish to file a complaint involving reprisal or retaliation, or any other prohibited personnel action, you should send it to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Complaints Examining Unit, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20036-4505.  Also, information about OSC can be obtained at OSC Online

GOVERNMENT LINKS

• Office of Special Counsel
• Other OIG Offices