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| Whistleblower Protection |
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It is unlawful for Federal agencies to take or threaten to take a personnel action against an employee or applicant because he or she disclosed allegations of wrongdoing or gross mismanagement (i.e., whistleblowing activities). Personnel actions can include a poor performance review, demotion, suspension, and termination.
For a pamphlet prepared by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) containing more information, click on Know Your Rights When Reporting Wrongs [PDF].
Protected Disclosures
Disclosure by current and former Federal employees and applicants of the following types of wrongdoing are covered:
- a violation of any law, rule, or regulation;
- mismanagement;
- a gross waste of funds;
- an abuse of authority; or,
- a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
Filing a Complaint of Reprisal
Individuals who believe they have been improperly retaliated against may contact the following entities:
- The Office of Special Counsel. OSC is an independent agency enforcing whistleblower protections and certain other actions within the Federal government. Information on filing a complaint with OSC may be at www.osc.gov.
- TIGTA's Office of Investigations Complaint Management Team (CMT). Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees or applicants who believe that they have been subject to whistleblower retaliation may contact CMT at the following:
By Phone:
1-800-366-4484
By Fax:
(202) 927-7018
By Mail:
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
Hotline
P.O. Box 589
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0589
- The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Certain employees may be able to appeal directly to MSPB. More information on whistleblower MSPB appeals is available at www.mspb.gov/appeals/whistleblower.htm.
The Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman
TIGTA's Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman provides education to increase awareness of prohibitions against whistleblower retaliation and the rights and remedies against retaliation for making protected disclosures.
The Ombudsman is prohibited from acting as a complainant's legal representative, agent, or advocate. For additional information concerning whistleblower rights and remedies, please contact Lori Creswell at WhistleblowerProtection@tigta.treas.gov.
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