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:
Second, you must use the proper reporting channels to ensure protection from retaliation. Actions to take can include:
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.
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:
If you’re facing the above, take the following steps:
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].
The information has been obtained from sources considered reliable but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Serving Those Who Serve writers and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy suggested. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment or financial decision. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. **
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