Overview
This section outlines the formal procedures for contractor and subcontractor employees to file whistleblower reprisal complaints and establishes the framework for how the Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigates and reports on those claims.
Key Rules
- Filing Venue: Employees who believe they have been retaliated against must submit complaints directly to the Inspector General of the concerned agency, typically via OIG hotlines or websites.
- Statute of Limitations: Complaints must be filed within three years of the date the alleged reprisal occurred.
- Distribution of Findings: Once an investigation is complete, the Inspector General must provide the report of findings to the head of the agency, the complainant, and the contractor/subcontractor involved.
- Right to Respond: Both the complainant and the contractor/subcontractor have the right to submit a written response to the investigative report.
- Timeline for Action: The response process must be timed to allow the agency head to take action within 30 days of receiving the report.
Practical Implications
- Extended Liability: The three-year filing window requires contractors to maintain detailed personnel and disciplinary records for a significant period to defend against potential retroactive whistleblower claims.
- Due Process: Contractors are guaranteed the opportunity to review OIG findings and provide a rebuttal before the agency head makes a final determination, highlighting the importance of a well-documented internal compliance and response strategy.