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Whistleblower Protection Coordinator

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.

USDA employees may contact the USDA Whistleblower Protection Coordinator at OIGWPC@oig.usda.gov. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs created a report summarizing the changes made to the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act by the Whistleblower Protection Coordination Act.

Contact Information

Individuals who believe they have been improperly retaliated against may contact the following resources:

OSC Introduces New Video Series

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) recently unveiled a new series of videos aimed at educating federal agencies and non-federal organizations on prohibited personnel practices, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the Hatch Act, whistleblower disclosures, and alternative dispute resolution.

March 2023 OSC Video on Introduction to Prohibited Personnel Practices

All OSC videos

Resources