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Oversight
NDAs for VA employees working on staff reduction plans prompts House Dems probe
The use of non-disclosure agreements could "chill employees from disclosing violations of waste, fraud and abuse," top oversight Democrat says.
Management
Justice Dept. rescinds rules safeguarding media from government seizures
The rules, first issued under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, gave members of the press protections from legal mechanisms to obtain sensitive data linked to their reporting.
Oversight
DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of sensitive information, top Oversight Democrat says
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is calling on the Social Security Administration’s watchdog to investigate whistleblower claims that the efficiency team is compiling potentially sensitive data across several government agencies.
Management
Official who safeguards whistleblowers drops lawsuit protesting his firing by Trump
An appeals court had allowed the Trump administration to remove Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger while it heard his case.
Updated
Management
Ethics and whistleblower officials fired by Trump
Hampton Dellinger, the ousted head of the Office of Special Counsel, filed a lawsuit that argued his removal was unlawful, and a federal judge reinstated him at least through Thursday.
Oversight
CBP chief medical official moved months after whistleblower complaints
Whistleblowers accused Dr. Alexander Eastman of creating a hostile work environment, among other allegations.
Workforce
OPM finally issues regulations implementing 2016 administrative leave reforms
An environmental advocacy group sued the federal government’s HR agency earlier this year in an effort to prod the federal government’s HR agency to implement a law aimed at ending lengthy periods of paid administrative leave.
Oversight
OSC questions agencies’ findings from a pair of whistleblower investigations
A CBP whistleblower alleged officials stopped an air unit from performing potentially life-saving missions, while an individual from the FAA accused officials at Detroit’s airport of inadequately safeguarding landings.
Oversight
Senator wants info on inspectors general office sexual harassment settlements
Grassley wrote that whistleblowers informed his office that the financial agreements required complainants to sign non-disclosure agreements.
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Oversight
VA whistleblowers honored for uncovering mismanagement of veterans’ personal information
Despite receiving OSC’s Public Servant award, the whistleblowers disagreed with investigators’ conclusions that they could not substantiate all of their accusations regarding the department’s alleged inappropriate use of personally identifiable information.
Oversight
OSC praises case resolutions involving alleged retaliation against federal employees
The findings come as the Merit Systems Protection Board makes a change to how it handles OSC petitions.
Oversight
MSPB to update rules to make operations smoother without a quorum
An interim final rule slated for publication next week updates the Merit Systems Protection Board’s procedures to allow the agency to take more actions without a full slate of political appointees.
Workforce
D.C. lawmaker reintroduces measure to grant whistleblower, OSHA protections to congressional workers
The Congress Leads by Example Act would afford employees of the legislative branch whistleblower and OSHA retaliation protections, along with parental bereavement leave benefits.
Management
Transparency and urgency are needed to deter agency misconduct and protect federal workers
COMMENTARY | The head of the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that investigates allegations of government misconduct, has a proposal.
Oversight
PEER sues to force OPM to implement administrative leave reforms
Though Congress enacted a law aimed at ending agencies’ abuse of involuntary administrative leave, the federal government’s dedicated HR agency has yet to implement its key provisions.
Pay & Benefits
Federal whistleblowers are entitled to damages for missed future pay, court rules
Employees can receive compensatory payments if their firings caused harm that prevented future earnings.
Management
Court rules for DHS employees alleging their division was disbanded in retaliation to their whistleblowing
The decision sets a new precedent for federal employees that denied promotions -- even if never fully promised -- can amount to retaliation.
Management
House committee chair applauds suspension of three top VA cops amid harassment allegations
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said in a statement that whistleblowers at the Atlanta VA Medical Center informed the committee of claims of sexual harassment, retaliation and misconduct within the center’s police department.
Workforce
Federal appeals board could soon reshape what it means to be a whistleblower
MSPB has asked outside parties to weigh in on a case for the first time in nearly a decade.
Oversight