The federal Whistleblower Protection Act protects employees from losing their jobs if they happen to report illegal activities committed by their employers. The term "whistleblower" is derived from 19th century English policemen who would blow their whistles when they saw a crime taking place.

Prevention

This federal legislation was designed to prevent agencies or individual contractors from retaliating against employees when they report or expose a violation of law.

Violations

According to the Whistleblower Protection Act, the types of violations that are to be reported by federal employees are incidents that can create problems for the public's health, safety or welfare. Other types of infractions that are to be reported are improper use of government office, gross waste of funds, abuse or gross neglect of duty by an agency, public officer or employee.

Purpose

The Whistleblower Protection Act was implemented by the federal government as a means of accountability for agencies, groups and individuals who have the responsibility of government office or working with the federal government.

Unfavorable Action

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines some unfavorable actions that employers might take against a whistleblower as a means of retaliation. These actions include but are not limited to loss of employment, demotion of position and the denial of overtime.

Duty

Some governmental violations can not only be harmful toward the public, but also to national security. Whistleblowers have an obligation to protect the public's interest from any wrongdoing by governmental agencies, personnel and contractors.

Source:

National Whistleblowers Center

Whistleblower Protection Act 1989

Government Accountability Project

Resource:

Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act 2009

Your Rights as a Whistleblower