According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), whistleblowers help keep the federal government “honest, efficient, and accountable.”
But in real life, if you see a problem, your first instinct might be to lie low out of fear that reporting the issue could endanger your federal job.
The good news is that legal protections exist to protect whistleblowers from retaliation, as long as reports are “based on a reasonable belief that wrongdoing has occurred, and if the disclosure is made to a person or entity that is authorized to receive it,” the OPM says. Read on to learn more about how federal employees can report wrongdoing.
Whistleblowers and “Protected Disclosure”
According to the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), a whistleblower reports waste, corruption, and fraud.
However, there is more involved than making accusations. First, reportable criteria are considered “protected disclosures” and include:
- Violations of laws, regulations, or rules
- Gross waste of funds
- Gross mismanagement or abuse of authority
- Actions that pose a danger to public health or safety
Second, you must use the proper reporting channels to ensure protection from retaliation. Actions to take can include:
- Sharing information with your supervisors or other managers
- Contacting the Office of Inspector General (OIG)online, by phone, by fax, or through snail mail
- Connecting with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
Keep in mind that abuse or fraud concerning classified information might require different actions. Check with your agency’s OIG before proceeding.
Whistleblower-Specific Legislation
Here's the protective legislation in place if you report wrongdoing.
The Whistleblower Act of 1778
The very first whistleblower legislation dates back to America’s War for Independence. The Continental Congress passed it with the directive that United States government employees provide information to Congress “of any misconduct, frauds, or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the services of these states…”
While the legislation urged the earliest Feds to act, it failed to provide legal protections for doing so.
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Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989
This legislation was passed to amend the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The WPA protects federal whistleblowers from retaliation and applies to current and former employees and job applicants.
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012
The WPEA strengthens retaliation protections for Fed whistleblowers and requires that employers’ non-disclosure agreements contain clear employee rights language.
Federal Whistleblower Protections: 2025
On March 26, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut introduced the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025 to enhance protection for Feds reporting to Congress. As of this writing, the proposed legislation has been read twice and currently rests with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Legal Remedies
By law, retaliation in response to your whistleblowing efforts is forbidden. Still, illegal reprisals might include:
- Non-promotional or disciplinary actions
- Transfer, demotion, or reassignment
- Unfavorable performance evaluation
- Withholding of pay or benefits
- Significant changes in your duties or working conditions
If you’re facing the above, take the following steps:
- Document everything pertaining to the situation (including actions and dates).
- File a complaint with the Office of the Special Counsel.
- If the OSC closed the case or 120 days have passed since the original filing, submit an Individual Right of Action (IRA) with the Merit Systems Protection Board.
You could also take the case to federal court. However, in that case, consider speaking with an employment attorney to determine the best way to proceed.
See Something? Say Something
Whistleblower actions and reports can help save taxpayer dollars — and even lives. If a situation seems wrong to you, tell the appropriate authorities and take comfort in the fact that retaliatory fallout is punishable by law.
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ with Serving Those Who Serve support those who help reveal government corruption, waste, and abuses. These Fed-knowledgeable CPFs™ can also help build and protect your financial future while you navigate difficult situations.
To learn more, visit stwserve.com or email [email protected].
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