Whistleblower Protection

Welcome to the Treasury OIG.

 

As employees of the Federal Government, and particularly as members of an IG organization, we need to assure that the values of the merit system of Government are observed and upheld. We can all strive to protect merit system principles and help to detect and prevent prohibited personnel practices, and serve as role models. I firmly believe that employees who are aware of these protections will be more confident in coming forward to report possible violations of law, rule or regulation, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial danger to public health and safety.

 

I want to ensure that all OIG employees are aware of and understand the prohibited personnel practices and whistleblower protections. The following link to the Office of Special Counsel's website is the fact sheet, "Your Rights as a Federal Employee," which provides detailed information on prohibited personnel practices. Link: Office of Special Counsel's Fact Sheet_

 

Whistleblowing is defined as the disclosure of information that an employee reasonably believes is evidence of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial danger to public health or safety. Although each employee is encouraged to bring such matters to the attention of his/her management officials, other sources are available to receive such disclosures. An employee can confidentially report these matters to our own Hotline, to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, or other sources, depending on the circumstances.

 

The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 provides the right for every employee to make whistleblowing disclosures and ensures protection from reprisal. Any OPM employee who has reason to believe that there has been misconduct, fraud, waste or abuse is encouraged to report these matters. The following link to the pamphlet, "The Role of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel," contains valuable information as well as telephone numbers for reporting purposes. I encourage each of you to carefully read this pamphlet and familiarize yourself with its contents. Link: https://osc.gov/Resources/post_wb.pdf

 

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 expands rights and obligations to prevent and report retaliation for whistleblowing, and requires each agency’s OIG to appoint a Whistleblower Protection Coordinator. Here at Treasury OIG, our Office of Counsel performs that duty. If you have any questions about your rights as a whistleblower, your rights to be free of retaliation, or any other issue relating to ethics and standards of conduct, please contact Counsel.

 

Richard K. Delmar

Deputy Inspector General