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Federal Election Commission | United States of America

Whistleblower protections

The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) was codified in 1989 and amended in 2012 (Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act) and 2017 (Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017). The WPA prohibits retaliation against federal employees, former federal employees, and applicants for employment who lawfully disclose information they reasonably believe evidences a violation of law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

Under the WPA, certain federal employees may not take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take; any personnel action against an employee or applicant for employment because of the employee or applicant’s protected whistleblowing.

If you believe that you have been retaliated against for making a protected disclosure to FEC management, the FEC OIG, or to a member of Congress, you may file a complaint with the OIG or the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC). The OSC is an independent federal investigative agency and its primary mission is to safeguard the merit system by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially whistleblower retaliation.

When filing a complaint, please provide sufficient information so that the investigative authority can initiate an inquiry.

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Legal citations

Statutes

5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8)
Prohibited personnel practices

This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.