It seems like whistleblowers face uphill battles in almost all circumstances. Now, a new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that whistleblowers at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) face even higher hurdles than whistleblowers elsewhere, including limited protections and long delays in addressing retaliation claims.
Over the years, I’ve seen federal employees, especially at the FBI, get shoved into a corner or even worse, lose their jobs, after blowing the whistle on waste, fraud or abuse. Knowing that whistleblowers at the bureau don’t have much help, I requested the independent GAO to conduct an investigation.
The report notes that the FBI is the only federal entity that doesn’t shield from retaliation whistleblowers who make disclosures to their immediate supervisors. Instead, FBI employees are required to make disclosures to one of only nine designated high-ranking FBI officials in order to be considered as whistleblowers legally entitled to protection from retaliation.
The report also concluded that FBI guidance doesn’t clearly warn FBI employees that disclosures within the chain of command may not be protected from retaliation. The GAO found that the Department of Justice does not consistently comply with regulatory requirements regarding the investigations of alleged retaliation at the FBI.
With so much difficulty just to blow the whistle without fear of retribution, it makes you wonder why whistleblowers would even risk coming forward in the first place. This report confirms that reforms are needed to empower whistleblowers at the FBI and ensure they are effectively and efficiently protected against retaliation in the workplace. It’s time for the FBI to take note and make positive changes for these patriotic citizens. The American people benefit when whistleblowers are free to come forward about what isn’t working at government agencies.