Outreach

The Five Requirements of the 2302(c) Certification Program

  • POSTINGS: Agencies should post the laws regarding PPPs as well as information regarding the process for making confidential disclosures to OSC. Posters containing this information, should be displayed in all personnel and EEO offices and in other prominent places throughout the agency.



    • The following posters are required to be posted throughout your agency in order to obtain certification:

    • "Whistleblowing”: Defines a “whistleblower” as someone who discloses information he or she reasonably believes evidences a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, substantial and specific danger to public heath, and substantial and specific danger to public safety.


    • “Whistleblower Retaliation”: Asks, “What is whistleblower retaliation?” A federal employee authorized to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve any personnel action may not take, fail to take, or threaten to take any personnel action against an employee because of protected whistleblowing. Cites an example. Defines “protected whistleblowing.”


    • “Prohibited Personnel Practices” (PPPs): Lists (in two columns) what federal employees are prohibited from doing under federal law.


      • The following materials, though not required to obtain certification, are also highly recommended by the OSC:


    • "The Hatch Act and Federal Employees" (poster): Lists (in two columns) Permitted and Prohibited Activities for Employees who may engage in Partisan Activity.


    • "Political Activity and the Federal Employee" (booklet): 13 pages long, Explains the Hatch Act, Its Importance to Federal Employees, Who is covered under the Hatch Act, Permitted and Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Engage in Partisan Activity, Questions and Answers, Permitted and Prohibited Activities for Employees Subject to Additional Restrictions, Questions and Answers, Designated Communities, Penalties, The Office of Special Counsel, Title 5, US Code Sections 7321 - 7326.


    • "Political Activity and the State and Local Employee" (booklet): 11 pages long, Explains the Hatch Act, Its Importance to State and Local Employees, Who is Covered, Who is Not Covered, Permitted and Prohibited Activities for State and Local Employees, The Office of Special Counsel, Title 5, US Code Sections 1501 - 1508, Questions and Answers on General Provisions, Prohibited Activities, Permitted Activities, Penalties for Violation, and Special Considerations for Employee-of-Private, Nonprofit Agencies Receiving Federal Assistance.

  • NEW EMPLOYEES: Written materials on PPPs, the WPA and OSC’s role in enforcing these laws should be provided in new employee orientation packets. OSC has created informational materials, including an outline of PPP rights and remedies ("Your Rights as a Federal Employee"), that can either be printed or sent via e-mail. In addition, examples of letters sent to agency employees by agency heads, outlining rights and remedies under the WPA, are also available under the employee notification requirement below.


  • EMPLOYEE NOTIFICATION: Written materials on PPPs, the WPA and OSC's role in enforcing these laws, should be provided to all employees on an annual basis. Agencies should also include this information on their web sites. As noted above, OSC has developed materials which can be e-mailed to help agencies fulfill this requirement ("Your Rights as a Federal Employee"). Examples of letters sent to agency employees by agency heads, outlining rights and remedies under the WPA, are also available below:

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  • SUPERVISORY TRAINING: Each agency, in consultation with OSC, should provide training to managers and supervisors to ensure their understanding of their responsibilities under the PPP and whistleblower protection provisions of Title 5. OSC has developed several options to aid agencies in fulfilling this requirement of the program including: providing speakers for satellite training or to address large groups of employees and a Power Point presentation.


  • COMPUTER LINK: Each agency should provide a link from its own web site or intranet site to the OSC web site (www.osc.gov).