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Whistleblowers not adequately protected from retaliation, GAO report concludes

By Phillips & Cohen LLP

A new report from the U.S. General Accountability Office concludes that whistleblowers who report illegal activities are not adequately protected from retaliation by their employers.

The report, Whistleblower Protection Program: Better Data and Improved Oversight Would Help Ensure Program Quality and Consistency, found these problems stem largely from a lack of resources and proper tracking of complaints, as well as a complicated patchwork of regulations that aim to protect whistleblowers.

The investigation was requested by U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). According to Rep. Miller's website, only one in five whistleblower complaints is successful.

?In the face of intimidation and retaliation, whistleblower protections are often the only thing that give workers the strength to stand up and speak out,? said Senator Murray. ?While I?m troubled by the GAO?s findings, I was glad to see that President Obama proposed increased funding for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in his budget, which will help strengthen its ability to enforce whistleblower protections."

Full post as published by False Claims Act - Qui Tam on March 12, 2009 (boomark / email).