What is the National Whistleblower Protection Act?

The National Whistleblower Protection Act (NWPA) is a federal law passed in 1989 that provides legal protections and remedies for people who report violations of law or rule. The NWPA was enacted to protect whistleblowers who report violations of law, to create a process for whistleblowers to get relief if they are retaliated against, and to encourage more people to report misconduct. The NWPA covers many federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It also applies to federal contractors doing work for the government and to federal employees. Under the NWPA, whistleblowers can be protected from retaliation if they report violation of laws related to public health, safety, or the environment. They can also receive monetary awards if the violation results in a judgment in their favor, and they can be reimbursed for lost wages and legal fees. The NWPA also applies in Pennsylvania and has been adopted by the state government as part of its own whistleblower law. The Pennsylvania law covers state government employees, as well as those working for public or private employers. It states that employers must not retaliate against an employee who makes a good faith report of a violation of law or rule related to public health, safety, or the environment. The employee must be allowed due process to prove the validity of the claims and is protected from any form of retaliation as long as the report is made in good faith.

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What is the National Whistleblower Protection Act?

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