Strengthening the recording and reporting process for Merit Systems Protection Board appeals data could provide a more accurate view of reprisals toward and protections for federal whistleblowers, according to a Nov. 28 report released by the Government Accountability Office.
The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 includes a provision for GAO to report on the law’s implementation, so GAO obtained MSPB data on the types of whistleblower appeals received and closed from fiscal years 2011 to 2015.
What was revealed was a post-WPEA increase in individual right of action appeals — filed by an individual that has been subject to a personnel action, such as reassignment, that person believes to be a reprisal for reporting violations of law or certain agency mismanagement. In contrast, there was a decrease in the number of otherwise appealable action appeals — received when an individual has been subject to an action directly appealable to MSPB, such as a demotion, and claims that the action was taken because of disclosures.
GAO found, however, that the MSPB data collection methods needed improvements to assure accuracy and recommended updates to data entry user guides and internal control standards to minimize data coding and analysis discrepancies. MSPB agreed with these recommendations.
The entire report can be viewed on the GAO website.
