Whistleblower Protection Program : better data and improved oversight would help ensure Program quality and consistency : report to congressional requesters.

Workers who "blow the whistle" on prohibited practices play a role in enforcing federal laws, but these workers risk reprisals from their employers. The Whistleblower Protection Program at the Department of Labor's (Labor) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is respon...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Author:	United States. Government Accountability Office
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2009]
Subjects:	United States. > Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989. United States. > Department of Labor > Rules and practice > Evaluation. Whistle blowing > United States. United States > Officials and employees > Professional ethics.
Online Access:	https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS110278

Description
Summary:	Workers who "blow the whistle" on prohibited practices play a role in enforcing federal laws, but these workers risk reprisals from their employers. The Whistleblower Protection Program at the Department of Labor's (Labor) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for investigating whistleblowers' complaints. OSHA's decisions generally may be appealed to the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) and, ultimately, the Administrative Review Board (ARB). GAO examined (1) what is known about processing times for complaints and what affects these times, (2) what outcomes resulted, and (3) what challenges OSHA faces in administering the program. To answer these questions, GAO analyzed electronic data files from OSHA, OALJ, and ARB; visited five OSHA regional offices; reviewed case files; conducted a Web-based survey of investigators; and interviewed key officials. GAO recommends that Labor take a number of steps to improve the accuracy of its data and enhance program oversight.
Item Description:	Title from title screen (viewed on Feb. 27, 2009). "January 2009." "GAO-09-106." Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	iii, 72 pages : digital, PDF file.
Format:	System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Mode of access: World Wide Web from GAO web site. Address as of 2/27/09: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09106.pdf ; current access available via PURL.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references.