The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 was signed into law on November 27, 2012. The Act strengthens protection for federal employees who blow the whistle on waste, fraud, and abuse in government operations.

Whistleblower disclosures can save lives as well as billions of taxpayer dollars. They play a critical role in keeping our Government honest, efficient, and accountable. Recognizing that whistleblowers root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and protect public health and safety, federal laws strongly encourage employees to disclose wrongdoing. Federal laws also protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 directs Inspectors General to designate a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s role is to educate agency employees about prohibitions on retaliation for protected disclosures, and educate agency employees who have made or are contemplating making a protected disclosure about the rights and remedies against retaliation for protected disclosures. The Ombudsman is prohibited from acting as an employee’s or former employee’s legal representative, agent, or advocate.

OIG has designated a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman. U.S. Department of Agriculture employees may contact the Ombudsman at OIGombudsman@oig.usda.gov. The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 can be found at http://beta.congress.gov/112/bills/s743/112s743enr_pdf.pdf.

WPEA Educational Resources:

• MSPB - Blowing The Whistle: Barriers to Federal Employees Making Disclosures (.pdf)
• U.S. Office of Special Counsel Brochure (.pdf)
• U.S. Office of Special Counsel Powerpoint (.ppt)
• The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 - Overview and Implementation (.pptx)

Inidividuals who believe they have been improperly retaliated against may contact the following entities:

1. The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General Hotline in any of the below manners:

   Call
   (800) 424-9121
   (202) 690-1622
   (202) 690-1202 (TDD)
   
   Fax
   (202) 690-2472
   
   Write
   United States Department of Agriculture
   Office of Inspector General
   PO Box 23399
   Washington, DC 20026-3399
   
   Online
   usda.hotline@oig.usda.gov

2. The Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman
   
   
3. 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
   
   
4. 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