Whenever there is a nationwide or international news story about major wrongdoing by a government agency, there is undoubtedly a whistleblower somewhere at its source. Due to their ability to see an agency from the inside, federal employees have the closest and clearest perspective out of anyone, so it makes sense that they’d be the first or only people to see the big problems. Since this unique vantage point cannot be duplicated, it must be protected.
In 1978, Congress passed the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) in an attempt to both encourage whistleblowing and defend whistleblowers from retaliation. The main provision of the CSRA is allowing whistleblowers to petition the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) for an appeal if their initial complaint of undue retaliation was denied by a state or lower federal court. This added measure protects federal whistleblowers in particular, as it is believed that they play an even more crucial role than a whistleblower in the private sector.
Why is Whistleblowing So Important?
The creation of the CSRA really raises the question as to why whistleblowing could be so important that a separate congressional act had to be passed to encourage it. Although it might not seem like it on the surface, whistleblowing in federal agencies is beneficial to the country and her peoples as a whole.
Whistleblowing is validated when a federal employee witnesses a clear display of illegitimate practices or abuses of power. If a whistleblower makes it known that their agency or a presentative of that organization is doing wrong, the government can run more smoothly and also stays honest. The American people deserve and require the ability to be able to trust their own government.
Whistleblowing can also be used if a federal employee sees the repeated waste of government resources. Taxes collected from the people are more often than not the key component of a government resource. Therefore, whistleblowing can stop a gross waste of tax payer dollars and help them be used better or be reallocated to better projects.
Are You a Whistleblower Who Is Facing Retaliation?
If the Civil Service Reform Act, in conjunction with the False Claims Act of 1863, works to protect your rights as a whistleblower, why are you facing retaliation from your boss or superiors? You shouldn’t be! Contact The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC to work with a DC federal employment lawyer that has a strong reputation for combatting wrongful retaliation cases involving whistleblowers.
