Whistleblower Rights and Protection

Retaliating against a whistleblower is a __________________________.

Prohibited Personnel Practice (PPP).

Those things a Federal employee with personnel action authority MAY NOT DO.

Prohibited Personnel Practices

Any personnel action against a VA employee because the employee filed a Whistleblower Disclosure with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).

Prohibited Personnel Practices Whistleblower Retaliation

Personnel action taken against a VA employee in response to contacting a member of Congress about patient safety.

Prohibited Personnel Practices Whistleblower Retaliation

Personnel action taken against a VA employee in response to filing a claim of gross mismanagement with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).

Prohibited Personnel Practices Whistleblower Retaliation

An unlawful personnel action such as retaliation or discrimination that may be disclosed to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).

Prohibited Personnel Practicesͥ

A disclosure of wrongdoing which the employee reasonably believes evidences a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

Whistleblower Disclosure

A disclosure of wrongdoing which the employee reasonably believes evidences a violation of law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; or abuse of authority.

Whistleblower Disclosure

Whistleblower retaliation is cause for disciplinary action...What are some disciplinary action examples?

e.g. suspension, demotion, removal, debarment from Federal employment

Whistleblower disclosures are crucial in helping to expose what?

fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and threats or harm to public health and safety across the Federal government.

What should you understand in determining what is a protected disclosure:

1. The information disclosed does not have to be accurate to be protected. 2. No requirement that a whistleblower go through his or her chain of command. 3. Whistleblower's personal motivation does not negate reasonable belief. 4. Employee or applicant is protected if an employer mistakenly believes the employee or applicant is a whistleblower.

Protected disclosures are defined as disclosing information which the whistleblower reasonably believes evidences:

1. a violation of law, rule, or regulation; 2. gross mismanagement; 3. gross waste of funds; 4. an abuse of authority; 5. a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or 6. Censorship related to scientific research, analysis or technical information.

Core corporate values that guide the Federal Human Capital Management System.

Merit System Principles

Treating VA employees and applicants for employment fairly and equitably.

Merit System Principles

An action filed with the Office of Special Counsel in response to an alleged Prohibited Personnel Practice.

Office of Special Counsel Complaint

Personnel actions that may constitute retaliation include (but are not limited to)

reassignment, suspension, termination, adverse pay decisions, or a change in duties, responsibilities or working conditions, such as suspending an employee's ability to telework.