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

There are 14 prohibited personnel practices, including reprisal for whistleblowing, which are identified in law at 5 United States Code, Section 2302(b).  A full list of the prohibited personnel practices is available here.

Whistleblowing means disclosing information that you reasonably believe is evidence of:

•     a violation of any law, rule or regulation,

•     gross mismanagement,

•     a gross waste of funds,

•     an abuse of authority, or

•     a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 was signed into law on November 27, 2012. The Act strengthens protection for federal employees who report waste, fraud, and abuse in government operations. It is a prohibited personnel practice for an agency to take, threaten to take, propose, or not take a personnel action because of whistleblowing activities. You are protected if you make such a disclosure to SIGTARP, Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General, or the Office of the Special Counsel. You are also protected if you make such a disclosure to other responsible individuals or organizations, provided that the disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law and the information does not have to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. If you have a concern about whether a disclosure is  protected, you should contact the appropriate office listed below.

Individuals who believe they have been improperly retaliated against for their whistleblowing activities may contact SIGTARP-WB@treasury.gov or (202)927-1237 which is managed by SIGTARP’s Office of Legal Counsel.