The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is an independent federal agency established by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. It investigates allegations of whistleblower retaliation, prohibited personnel practices, and Hatch Act violations—the law barring federal employees from engaging in certain partisan political activities.
Its independence from agency management is what gives its investigations credibility. The OPM's Schedule Policy/Career final rule shifts retaliation complaint investigations from OSC to individual agencies, which critics say eliminates the independence that makes those protections meaningful.
The OSC protects federal employees who expose government wrongdoing. Without independent whistleblower protection, federal workers would face retaliation for reporting waste, fraud, and misconduct.
People often think all whistleblowers get federal protection. In practice, federal employee protections are broad, but private sector whistleblower protections vary by industry and type of misconduct.
The OSC protects federal employees who expose government wrongdoing. Without independent whistleblower protection, federal workers would face retaliation for reporting waste, fraud, and misconduct.
People often think all whistleblowers get federal protection. In practice, federal employee protections are broad, but private sector whistleblower protections vary by industry and type of misconduct.