Office of Inspector General - U.S. Department of Labor

WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION COMPLAINTS

Who is protected?
U.S. Department of Labor employees, former employees, applicants for employment, or current or former employees of a U.S. Department of Labor contractor, subcontractor or grantee.

What are whistleblowers protected from?
Covered employees are protected from being discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated or retaliated against as a reprisal for making a protected disclosure.

What kinds of disclosures are protected?
To be protected, the disclosure must be made by the employee to an Inspector General, a state or federal regulatory or law enforcement agency, a person with supervisory authority over the employee, a court or grand jury, or the head of a federal agency or his/her representatives.

In addition, the disclosure must involve information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of:

gross mismanagement of an agency contract or grant relating to U.S. Department of Labor funds;
a gross waste of U.S. Department of Labor funds;
a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety related to the implementation or use of U.S. Department of Labor funds;
an abuse of authority related to the implementation or use of U.S. Department of Labor funds; or
a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to an agency contract or grant awarded or issued relating to U.S. Department of Labor funds.

TO REPORT WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING FORM:

Your Name
E-mail Address
Street Address
Building/Room
City, State, and Zip Code
Phone Number
Employer Receiving U.S. Department of Labor Funds

Describe the initial disclosure that you made regarding waste, fraud, or abuse. Also include to whom and when you made the disclosure

Describe the retaliation or reprisal that was taken against you for making a protected disclosure