{"id":17107,"date":"2018-07-16T18:53:45","date_gmt":"2018-07-16T18:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/16\/special-counsel-struggles-to-keep-up-with-whistleblower-cases\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T04:44:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T04:44:00","slug":"special-counsel-struggles-to-keep-up-with-whistleblower-cases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/management\/2018\/07\/16\/special-counsel-struggles-to-keep-up-with-whistleblower-cases\/","title":{"rendered":"Special counsel struggles to keep up with whistleblower cases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The backlog of whistleblower and prohibited personnel practices cases at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel nearly doubled between 2011 and 2016, despite sustained efforts to tackle it, according to a Government Accountability Office report released July 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA sustained backlog puts OSC\u2019s ability to fulfill its mission of protecting federal employees at risk. As OSC noted in its fiscal year 2017 Performance and Accountability Report, a longer backlog risks further delay for processing newly received cases. Further, lengthy processing times delays attaining desired favorable actions and remedying wrongdoings. Without timely resolutions, whistleblowers may be discouraged from filing whistleblower disclosures,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A GAO investigation found that though the OSC took steps to expand the number of employees reviewing cases and establish a new unit to process hybrid cases that involve both a whistleblower disclosure and an allegation of retaliation, the increase in cases received since 2011 has caused the backlog to increase as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\t