What is the National Whistleblower Protection Act?

The National Whistleblower Protection Act (NWPA) is a federal law that was passed in 1989 that is designed to protect individuals who report suspected violations of law or abuse of authority by federal government employees. The NWPA prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers for reporting certain types of violations to the government or other appropriate authorities. It also provides legal remedies and protection to individuals who suffer retaliatory action for whistleblowing. The law grants a wide range of protections to whistleblowers, including: providing certain rights to individuals who report misconduct, protecting them against retaliation, and creating incentives for individuals to report wrongdoing. The Act also extends certain protections to certain contractors and subcontractors, such as immunity from criminal prosecution for reported violations. The NWPA is enforced by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which investigates whistleblower complaints and provides legal remedies to whistleblowers against retaliatory action from their employers. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) also investigates whistleblower complaints and can take action against employers found to be engaging in retaliatory behavior against whistleblowers. In Virginia, the NWPA is upheld by the Virginia Employee Protection Against Retaliation Act (VEPAR), which also provides protection to whistleblowers. Additionally, Virginia has its own set of laws that protect whistleblowers from retaliation, which may include awarding financial compensation to those who have suffered retaliation.

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What is the National Whistleblower Protection Act?

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